Daenerys II

"Honestly," Dany heard Mata try and consol her son as she listened from her rooms, "It won't be too long Baelon," in the background, she could hear the cries of the gulls as they came in from the sea, and from the window could see the deep orange shade from the setting sun, "It will only be a few more weeks-"

"Yes mother," Baelon's voice strained against his frustration. Though that might have been aggravated by Baelon having to carry several barrels around. A new shipment of expensive wines had come in, and they'd been sent up for use for the upcoming meeting with Drago, "I know," Dany heard the wood of the barrel land solidly, "It'll always just be a few more weeks."

"Baelon!"

Ever since they'd kicked out the "Appraiser" the day before, Mata had been on edge. Where usually the woman had always been open, delighting in conversation with everyone around her, she had only spoken to her children in the time since. DUring her time at this manse, Mata had gone out of her way to speak with Dany. Now though…now the serving woman refused to even look at her.

Making things worse was how Baelon had reacted. Baelon would still nod at Dany, and had offered her his help by carrying up some chairs to her room, he had been markedly quiet. Well…he'd been quiet around her. He was actually quite outspoken around his mother, constantly barking at his mother about one thing or another, to which Mata would snipe back. Dany had first wondered why, but after listening to a few of their conversations-

"I know this is difficult Baelon, but we're almost done," Mata's exasperation was clear even without looking at her face. This was likely the third or fourth of these arguments, and yet it was clear that it would not be the last, "I know you are disappointed, but-"

"But what?" her son snapped, and then there was a bit of quiet. Dany winced, thinking of the scowl that likely adorned the face of the handsome lad. He'd done his best to put hide faces like that, but more than once, when Viserys had "released the dragon", and taken his rage out on Dany or Baelon himself. Dany had almost been more terrified by the boy's face. Almost, after all, Baelon's rage did not result in welts on her arms or shoulders, but the strangeness of his rage caused her great concern.

'And for him to have such thoughts towards his mother,' Dany shook her head, 'Sheera has been cruel to her mother at times,' it was why there were times the older of Mata's children would refer to her by name than by "mother", 'Baelon has never been anything but deferential to Mata. When she asks for something, he'll always do it,' and then she winced, 'And Mata has always favored her son, most likely for his nature and desire to please her,' she shook her head, 'That…that Emiya made things so much worse.'

It was easy enough to tell that was the reason for the conflict. The tall man that had marched into the manse, and demanded to see Mata. Dany had thought that the man, a mix of Valyrian and Rhoynish that, when mixed with Mata's own Rhoynish features, might result in the look that Baelon had. Sheera had declared that there was no way this man was their father, that their father was long dead, but Baelon…Baelon had had hope that this man was their father. Perhaps it had long been buried in him, but the desire to know the man had likely been great. That his father might reappear out of the winds one day, and then take he and his family out of the servitude they were chained with.

That hadn't happened. The image of the bronze man splayed out from a strike from his mother had been enough to show that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Baelon was still partially wanting to claim that the man he'd seen had been his father, though from how he'd acted, Dany could see he really didn't believe that anymore. But the dashed hopes and the mystery were enough to foul his mood, and the secretes his mother held only angered him further.

"If you are so sure we are soon to be done with here," Baelon's voice was accusatory, "Then it will not be an issue for you to speak to me honestly," for a second, it seemed as though Mata was about to cut in, but then Baelon added, "Unless you think I am nothing but a child who must be spooned knowledge."

"You are a child," Mata seethed. The part of Dany that wished to have met her mother felt a sudden burn of anger at the serving woman's treatment, but that ended with a final exhausted surrender, "I will answer you some questions, but only those I think you can live with.

"Who is my father then?" Baelon asked, "Is he alive, or dead like Sheera said."

"Shee-," Mata said, then sighed, "Of course she told you. Yes Baelon, your father is dead," she finally answered. That stopped the conversation for a moment, as Dany imagined Baelon was likely at least slightly in shock, his hope dashed, "And I can tell you, he was not from Asshai, and he certainly wasn't any bronze man with white hair."

"But you cannot tell me who my father truly is then?"

"No."

For a long moment, the silence hung. At first, Dany worried that Baelon had somehow run off, or was in shock, but that was ended when she heard his voice again, "Then tell me at least when we shall be able to finally leave this place," his voice was almost pointed, "A day, if you can."

"I cannot tell you the exact day of the end of our contract," Mata's frustration was evident in this reply, "For that final day had not been set in stone," she then grumbled, "However, I can tell you, it shan't be long after the wedding of Daenerys and Khal Drogo," at that Dany felt her heart drop, "Then, when they are gone, we should enter our final days of service to this place, and," Dany heard Mata take a step, "from there, we shall put your funds to good use. Go find a place where we are not caught in the plans of a cheesemonger."

At that Baelon said nothing. There was no response, no defiance or further questions.

"Baelon," Mata's voice was hurt, and Dany could imagine the sight of Baelon turning away from his mother and storming away, "Please don't do this," as a further silence came over the night, before she spoke up again, "Baelon, I am your mother, and you-BAELON!"

Dany then heard a door slam in the distance. She winced, before finally pushing herself from her seat, and walking towards the door. She pressed her hand against it, worrying for a second about dealing with this conversation, before steeling herself and going out.

Mata was sitting there on a small crate, staring at the door that Dany could guess Baelon had gone through. Her eyes were wide with shock, her fingers digging into the wood beneath her, and her frown was deeper than Dany had ever seen. Indeed, her focus was so pointed at the door her son had slammed, that she paid Dany no mind. At least at first, as after Dany finally came into Mata's vision, she blinked, and turned her attention to Dany.

"Princess," Mata sighed, rubbing her neck, "I suppose you," she stopped, obviously trying to decide if to continue, "I suppose you heard that."

"I," Dany stopped, trying to figure out if what she should say, before shaking her head, "Yes, I did."

"Well," Mata sighed, "Tis proof to you that he and I do not only see eye to eye," she groaned, learning her head back against the wall that the crate rested against, "That poor sweet stupid boy," her hand moved from her neck to the bridge of her nose, and Dany could see she was quite tired, "He…he is like you."

"Asides being a princess," Dany added quickly. She'd forgive Mata this impropriety, but she must do what she could to defend her family's honor. For her part, Mata continued to stare forward, before slowly nodding her head at that, a sad smile crawling up her face as she thought about it.

"Aye," she nodded, "Asides that," she then coughed, "No, I mean he wrinkles against the bars of the cage he's set," she stretched her arms out as wide as she could after that, "Gods he's had his wings cramped in this place so long," she shook her head, "And he has so little knowledge of who he is. He knows I and his sister. But no family beyond us, and," she seemed to wince at the mention, "Certainly he does not know his father."

"Surely it would not be so much trouble to tell him that," Dany finally said, "He is a bastard after all," Mata's eyes became dull at the statement, and she nodded, "Surely, if he is dead, there is nothing to worry. Tis not like your son would ride off and throw a family into shambles if his father is not there," Dany reached up and played with her hair, "My father is key to who I and my brother are. So tis not so much to ask for Baelon to have that same knowledge, even if like us he shall never meet him."

Mata just looked at Dany for a moment. Her greenish eyes remained dull at that, but slowly she nodded. Finally, she leaned forward, and said, "I shall speak to him. Still, even at this point he vexes me far less than his sister," at that Dany could understand.

"Sheera does seem to trouble you," she shook her head, "And I now that I think on it," somehow, Dany felt there should be some punishment for the serving girl, but there was part of her that always excused the slightly older girl for some reason. She then placed a hand on Mata's shoulder, "Do…do you know what insult I gave to your daughter that so enrages her?"

Mata continued to stare at Dany for a longer moment, before shaking her head, "I suppose you are a pretty girl about to have a fine wedding, and she is stuck here, as a servant."

"But I do not wish for this wedding," at that, Dany slapped her hands to her mouth, and turned her head as quickly as she could to Viserys's room. When the room did not open, she let loose a sigh, and returned her eyes to Mata.

"Glad to hear that," Mata let out a short laugh, though there was a bitterness there that Dany could not help but feel clouded all the mirth, "This marriage should be one you would best like to avoid," the older woman looked up, "These horsemen…the marriage, even if well, will be difficult for you," Mata looked down at Dany's hips, "Especially for one so young and…thin, as you," the older woman grimaced, "Gods, I do not wish to imagine what a birthing at your age might be like."

"Many women-"

"Yes," Mata sniped, causing Dany to jump. Seeing that, Mata's eyes softened, before suddenly placing her hand on Dany's cheek, "Yes, many poor girls are forced to marry at ten and three, and have children then," a sad rage then popped on her face, "And many of those girls do not live to see their thirtieth name day from the stress on such young bodies," Mata rolled her fingers through Dany's white locks, "You are a sweet girl, Daenerys Targayen. I do not wish for the world to be so cruel to you so soon."

"Cruel," Dany looked out across the ocean, "Were my brother here, he would say fate has already heaped cruelties upon us."

Mata sighed, "No doubt you have," she sighed, "I may not care for your brother, but I do not doubt the cruelties that the world inflicted upon him," she then steeled herself, "Yet that does not forgive his transgressions, his rage. He has taken the cruelty of the world, and inflicted it upon you, the one person he is by custom and love supposed to protect from such things," she grumbled, "And to sell you to a horselord. I care not if this Drago has fifty thousand riders, he must cross the sea, and the Stag fleet will burn as many ships as they can before one hoof lands. I doubt the Dothraki Sea will prepare his mounts for swimming even along the Stepstones."

Dany could only look down. Truly, she had no idea herself. Yet it was what Illyrio had promised her brother, and as far as she could tell, their one, last real chance of reclaiming their birthright. So, to do what she must for her family, she would marry Khal Drogo, and she would set the stage for the Targaryen Restoration.

"Well," Mata said, finally standing back up, "I must go, tis quite late," the growing pinks in the sky made that point clear,"I hope you sleep well princess," she said finally, turning away from Dany, and marching towards her quarters a ways off.

'You as well,' Dany thought, giving the woman a wave as she disappeared, though quickly bringing her hand down, once again giving a look over her shoulder, towards the door where her brother was currently resting behind.

The Bay of Pentos was darker than usual. The clouds had covered night's sky, and the had deprived the shimmering waters of the port their usual glimmering light. One could imagine the difficulty in attempting to sail out during a night like this, even if there was no great storm or mighty wind to batter a ship in the harbor.

It was that calmness that allowed Dany to leave her windows open. Even if there was no beautiful lights shining up from the sea, there was still the bracing scent of the seas to lull her into her dreams. It was one of the things she liked about this manse, alongside Mata and her family, and it was one of the things she knew she would miss quite terribly when she finally was married to Khal Drogo. She could not think that the smell of grass and horse would be as calming as that of the waves.

Yet for all the sounds and smells calmed her, Dany could not bring herself to fall asleep. No, instead, she could only lay on top of her sheets, her eyes boring into the plain stone ceiling above her. Worst of all was that she knew why.

He was, after all, standing outside her window again.

"Daenerys Stormborn."

The man was tall, very very tall. At first she suspected this man might be that intruder Emiya, but the way he spoke, and how he moved…it wasn't the same. That man had been rigid, but this one moved like he was like the air itself. That was only further shown to her by the fact that while Emiya's eyes had been normal, with pupils so dark that one would mistake them for black, this man…this thing had shining white stars dancing at their center.

"I see you managed to follow my instructions," the man continued, his voice no longer cutting directly into her. His voice had lost its otherworldly quality, and was now more like that man from Asshai, yet still not quite the same, with all the stiffness sanded away from it, "Good," and suddenly he was no longer outside the window, instead now standing directly over her, his shadow somehow covering her face despite the lack of light to cast it, "My, my, even now, you hide your screams. Much to be said for that little worm."

Dany refused to move. Even as she felt a hand slowly rub itself along her cheek, and even as she saw the intruder's face become marred with a hungry smile. If she did something, anything, she would die.

"Oh dear me," the man laughed. It was a noise, a cruel sound of brashness that made her want to reach up and rip her ears of, "Oh my dear, you poor little thing," his hand suddenly went from along her cheek to below her jawline, and Dany had to use ever last bit of her control to keep from screaming as the hand now almost made to grab her neck, "Just one good squeeze."

And then the hand was gone. She still did not dare move, and from her position she could not see him. Nor did she hear steps as he seemed to glide away from her. Yet she would not take any chance, so for what felt like a few solid moments, she just continued to lay there.

…

Finally, she turned her head, and saw that the man was no longer in the room. Nor was he outside her window. She pushed herself to her feet, and rushed to the door, grabbing the shutters, and latching them together before she could even think once more. She nearly fell over at the movement, staring at the now closed window, relief escaping her lungs as she breathed heavily.

'I shall have to tell the guard tomorrow,' she thought to herself, 'That twice they've let that strange man in here-'

"Oh, I think you overestimate how much they might be able to help you."

Dany jumped at that terror erupting up her spine. She turned, and saw the strange creature sitting on her bed, playing with the long locks of his hair. Dany slammed against the wall, trying to push herself into the stone to escape from this intruder, yet he made no more moves towards her, simply continuing to play with his hair.

"My, you are a jittery one, aren't you?" he said, before standing up, "Though, I suppose time shall heal such defects, wouldn't you?"

Dany just continued to stare at him, her fingers clawing into the stone behind her. Slowly she attempted to edge her way over to the door, and a hopeful escape from this monster's gaze. She knew it was likely a fruitless attempt, but at least twas some hope for escape before this thing did what he wished to her.

"Calm yourself girl," he waved his hand, shaking his head as he stood, "This shall be your last visit from me," he walked over towards the window, right next to Dany as he attempted to exit, his eyes never wavering, "I already got what I came for."

'What did you come for?'

"You must be wondering what I'm speaking about," he pushed the door open, "Tis no matter to you, but understand that I do not intend to harm you, at least now as it were," he then pressed his hand against the shutters, "I just wanted some time to observe one of the central characters of this tale," he then gave her one last look, the same cruel smile from before cut into his face, "Though, I do hope I get to see you, when you finally stretch out your wings."

And then suddenly he seemed to slide through the break in the shutters, like steam. Dany, utterly shocked, grabbed the shutters and opened them to look outside once more. As she did so, she immediately saw nothing. She swirled her head around, and also saw nothing.

'He…he vanished like the air itself,' she then pushed herself up from the window. First she shut it, and then began to shuffle towards her wardrobe. She was quite undressed for a princess, and if she was to rouse the guards, she would need to be proper so as to not raise any questions, 'I must let them know what happened.

It took not much time at all for her to cover her gown with a cloak, and marched out of her rooms. There was no time to waste, she had to alert all the men here to what was happening, or else despite the strangers wishes, she might continue to be visited by this strange apparition.

First, as she exited, she thought about going up to her brother. Viserys would was highest there, and letting him know might be enough to wake the whole of the manse. But she quickly dismissed this, as Viserys would call her a fool and a sobbing girl. Perhaps she was, but she would not stand to have her sleep tormented by this invader any more.

Instead, she would have to wake Mata. Mata was the most senior servant at the manse, and having her would likely lead to a muster of the guards. That might not be enough, but at least it would be something. The short walk to Mata's room still was far too long for Dany's liking, but she completed it in good time. She knocked heavily on the doors, not caring for any kind of politeness towards a servant.

"What?" the voice was quite tired, as Dany continued to knock on the door, "Please, calm down, I am coming," it was at that moment, Dany slowly realized that was not Mata's voice, "There is no need to be so loud," and at that Sheera suddenly appeared in front of Dany. The older girl stared at Dany for a moment, and suddenly a range of emotions washed over her face, "What are yo-," the girl then stopped, did her best to calm her face, and then sighed, "What is it you require at this hour," for a second, she just stood straight, before sighing, and bowing, "Your grace?"

"I thought this was Mata's room," Dany said, her mind still trying to arrive where her body and the moment had landed, "I am sorry, did I take the wrong room or-"

"Mother!" Sheera's shout managed to get a groan out from the back of the room. After a moment or two, Mata walked out from inside the room, covering her eyes as she did so, exhaustion clear from all over her body, "The princess wishes to speak to you."

"Thank you Sheera," the older woman groaned, before walking up and taking her place. The older woman's daughter then walked back into the room, likely to go back to sleep and avoid spending any more time with Dany. The older woman though gave her a look, "Princess, is something the matter?" she looked like she almost couldn't believe that Dany had shown up at her door at this hour.

"Yes," Dany nodded, "A man came to my room, and snuck through my win-"

"Princess," suddenly, Mata's face tightened. She pushed herself to the front the doorway, and took Dany by hand. Mata then looked her up and down, her eyes darting over every part of her, stopping around her middle, before meeting her eyes once more, "Did they do any-"

"No Mata," Dany said, "Well, he didn't touch me," Dany could see a mix of confusion and relief come over Mata, "But, he was still in my rooms, and he made it clear that if he wanted, he could have," she shook, remembering his long fingers nearly reaching around her throat, "He went down across the wall, I don't know how he got in."

"We'll ge the guards then," Mata nodded, before turning back her head to the room, "Sheera!"

"What?" the exhausted question of Mata's daughter nearly caused Dany to snort.

"Get up your brother," she said firmly, "We need the guard alerted, and your brother is strong enough to help with that," she turned back to Dany, and smiled at her, "Now then Princess," Mata's hand enveloped Dany's, "Let's get go wake up the guards," her eyes hardened, "Starting with those fools at the front gate. They were supposed to be on watch tonight."

They found nothing that night, but Dany had suspected as much. After all, the intruder had been clearly mystic in some manner or other, what with going through windows without opening them or appearing where he should not have been able. Yet the commotion that previous night had at least managed to calm her nerves. After all, with over two dozen men now alerted to the possibility of a break in, the chance of that man appearing a third time were now very low.

Of course, that didn't mean there were not consequences for her actions.

"To believe you wasted everyone's time last night," Viserys was sitting back in his study, a book of the story of Daeron the First on his side, "Such a waste. You woke me up while I was having such a pleasant dream."

Dany winced, though she was glad that it seemed that the dragon had not actually been awakened in her brother's heart. He hadn't been called to any action on his own, and he had gotten back to sleep in less than an hour. That was quite unlike Baelon, who had been forced to stay up half the night trying to help find how the walls had been climbed with the guards. The young Rhoynar was barely holding himself upright as he picked up Viserys silver plate, the remains of his smoked pork and boiled eggs only mostly eaten.

"Why, even this poor fool looks run ragged," Viserys said, gesturing at Baelon. When Baelon did not respond, Viserys turned his amethyst eyes toward the dark skinned lad, "I paid you heed boy," her brother hissed, "See that you do the same."

"Of course," Baelon bowed his head, his eyes barely open, before hastily adding at seeing a frown further growing on Viserys face, "Your grace. The sleep of a king is of the highest importance," at that, the frown loosened, and the thought of the dragon seemed to recede back into the mind of Dany's brother, who nodded.

"Exactly," Viserys said, before reaching out, and knocking the plate out of Baelon's hand, "And you see sister," he declared as the remains of his meal scattered on the floor, her brother's eyes meeting her's, "You made the poor fool dirty my room."

Dany took one second to look at Baelon, who now seemed as though a dragon had woken in him. It was good for Baelon that her brother was focused on her, as had Viserys seen the hate coming from the young man, Viserys might have had him flogged. Baelon managed to quell his own dragon, and bend down to pick up the remains of the broken fast onto the platter, his face more placid.

"I shall be more considerate with my requests," Dany said.

"See to it Daenerys," Viserys noted, "See to it," he then stared back at Baelon, who was standing up with the spill now cleaned up. He made a waving motion with his hand, "Now servant, out, I tire of your presence."

"Yes your grace," Baelon said as calmly as a boy his age could.

"See, this is what make this place bearable," Viserys declared as Baelon walked past Dany towards the door, "Servants who know their place," he smirked, "A Rhoynar properly tamed, as our dear ancestor attempted," his hand rested on the book of the young king that had conquered Dorne, "Why, so much would have gone better had we just burned a few more of those foolish sand suckers," he sighed, "Oh, shall have to be my burden."

"Brother," Dany bowed her head to Viserys, who seemed to snap out of his musings and nod at her, "Is there something you wish for me today?"
"Ah, yes," Dany's brother's grin grew, "Illyrio shall be arriving today," he smirked, "With your wedding in a fortnight or less, we shall need to prepare you for your horse lord husband," Dany felt the pit of her stomach drop out, "He should have some things to prepare you for the wedding, so be ready to come at my call."
"Yes, your grace," she said quickly.

"Well then," he waved his hand as he picked up the book once more, "Off you go."

Dany swiftly marched from her brother's room, and down into the main courtyard. There were more here now, with the day time servants now mixing with a new set of guards who would switch out with those who had been up at night. That luckily meant that only Mata and her children were really tired from the night before, with everyone else who had been up now off in their homes or sleeping in the servants quarters. Mata's family had been the ones Dany had woken up, so unfortunately, they were all three quite tired from the night. And the most tired was the young woman who glared at Dany as she finally stepped down from the stairway.

"Daenerys," Sheera sneered, giving Dany a look that almost matched the look her brother had given Viserys earlier, "Is there another intruder threatening to steal you away once more?"

Dany winced at the accusation, but shook her head. She had woken Sheera up the night before, and Mata had insisted on Sheera helping the search. While Dany was sure that several of the other guards suspected Dany had been having a nightmare, only Sheera voiced it among the servants. Viserys may have said so, yet he had treated it only as an trifle, while Sheera had been made to suffer through it.

"No Sheera," she said.

"Are you sure your Grace," Sheera continued, holding her basket of cloth beneath her right armpit, "Surely, a princess such as yourself must always be vigilant that you are to be stolen away in the middle of the night."

"I-"
"Calm down Sheera," the exhaustion was clear in Mata's voice, as the older woman pushed open a door nearby, and came out, her skirts covered in water from clearing the other linens of the manse, "The girl was scared, and we-"

"Found no proof of any intruder," Sheera snapped, "Mata, you-"

"Sheera," Mata said carefully, her eyes meeting Sheera's, and stopping the girl in her speech, "You are my daughter," for a second, Dany could swear that the other girl grit her teeth in rage at that, "You will do what we need to do so we can afford to get out of here. And if that means missing half a night of sleep, then that is what you shall do," she leaned forward, "Do you understand me."

"...," Sheera looked to the ground, "Yes mother."

BANG

The conversation died. Dany, and Mata and her daughter as well, turned their heads toward the front gate. The doors seemed to shake, and then fall back into their proper place. Dany continued to stare at the door, shock at the sudden massive sound to have come from the front gate.

BANG

And then the door almost flew back once more. Dany took a step back from the door, as she saw several guards begin to hurry up towards the door, spears held tightly as they seemed to realize something was about to happen. Dany took a look back, and saw shock and worry over Mata's face.

"We need to run," she said finally, "We-"

BASH

And then the door was knocked open, sending the half dozen guards going towards the main gate flying backwards. Dany had to catch herself in Mata's arms, with the older woman nearly falling over from the impact. Despite that, however, Mata managed to regain her composure, and pull Dany up to her feet.

Pouring out through the now open gate were dozens of men. They were dark of skin, and mostly covered in muscles. They had long facial hair, and their feet were swift as they formed up two lines of swords.

'Dothraki,' Dany though, a horror suddenly crawling into the front of her thoughts, 'Have they come early?'

The answer was soon answered when the man who was clearly their leader pushed up to the front of the two columns. He was Dothraki as well, but in comparison to the rest, he was older, and far, far fatter. He also walked with a strange limp, clearly a sign of the wooden leg that had replaced his left. The realization that this was not Drago, who she had learned was a man in his prime, tall and muscled, calmed at least the thought she was about to go to the marriage bed so soon, though it gave her no real comfort for this new terror. Finally, however, the fat Dothraki shouted to the rest of the Manse.

"I am Yenno," Dany only vaguely remembered stories of an older Khal having been forced to spend his last days drinking and whoring and gambling in the outskirts of Pentos after another Khal had taken his leg, "And I am here to declare that this Manse is no longer under the rule of Illyrio Mopatis."

"What the seven hells is going on?" the voice of her brother carried from above her. She looked up, and saw the shock across his face, and a sneer beginning to grow, "Some fat lame gelding," Dany could then see anger build up over Yenno's face, "Has broken into the home of one of the richest merchants, and the current lodging of the Rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms."

"I-"

"Calm yourself Yenno," a new voice spoke up, though one Dany could recognize. Suddenly, two more forms marched in through the gate. It was one man in a cloak, who was leading a second man in his underclothes by a rope around the neck, with a sack covering the rope tied man's head. The voice had been alongside Dany's intruder's voice, and it was only confirmed when the cloaked man declared, "We mean no harm to his grace. We only mean to inform him about some…opportunities he would be wise to invest in."

'Mairu,' Dany finally remembered, the name her intruder had used for the voice. Mairu then took off his hood, revealing a relatively young man, likely only a few years past his twentieth name day. He was handsome in a strong jawed manner, with only slightly tanned skin, and long brown curly hair. His smile was pretty as he flashed it towards her, though Dany could not help but think that this man's smile did not seem to match his eyes, which were bouncing around quickly, at Yenno, at the sudden growing crowd of guards and then at Viserys. Dany turned back her own attention to her brother, who seemed twist his jaw for the moment, before finally nodding.

"Well, at least it seems there is one man who understands courtesy," Viserys said, and then Mairu's shoulders seemed to lower in a lightening of stress.

"I see that I try, your grace," Mairu said. He then brought up his fist to his mouth, and let loose a cough, "Now then, I am here to bring word and gifts to the True King," at that, Dany didn't even need to look up to know her brother was beginning to smile, "For soon, the day shall come that you take back the throne from the vile Usurper."

"I see," Viserys said, his voice having lost all but the faintest hint of distrust, something that made Dany wince, "This is quite good," and then there was a pause, before Viserys spoke up once more, "Though I must say, this is a strange way to come and pay proper respects, barging into my home, breaking down the door, causing such a scene," he was likely making motion to all the guards and the movements around him, "There are surely better and less destructive manners to come and pay proper respects to a king. Even if I do understand the desire to reach me as quickly as you might be able."

It was only then that Dany realized that Viserys' voice was getting closer. She gave a quick look to her right, to see that Viserys had taken to walking down the stairs. With it clear that this was not an attempt on his life by the Usurper, her brother now seemed comfortable to come and be on the same ground as the men who had barged through the gate. That seemed a bit early, in Dany's opinion, as Mairu might be telling a lie.

"Well your grace," Mairu then reached up his hand to the sack of the capture man behind him, "Twas the only move I could make," he then ripped the sack off, "Without allowing this swine to keep the vital information I have from you."

It was Illyrio. Only, he did not appear as he had before. Where the blonde hair and beard were still big and bushy, they were now matted in dried blood. Bruises and bumps covered his uncovered skin, with one of his eyes seemingly swelled completely shut. Tear stains seemed to pour down from his eyes, and Dany wondered, from the broken slice along Illyrio's lower lip, if the cheesemonger could even speak now after the beating he'd clearly taken.

"What is the meaning of this!" Viserys screamed, pointing at their patron, who was barely able to keep himself upright, "That is Illyrio. He is the man who has allowed us to stay up in this manse," Dany saw many of the guards ready their weapons, the man who paid them now seeming to be in clear peril, "How dar-"

"Your grace," Mairu raised his palms to placate Dany's brother, "I have only treated this swine," he turned and kicked Illyrio, who let out a short whine of pain from likely having a bruise struck, "As he sought to treat you."

"What? Tre-"
"Yes," the ring leader continued, "This man, is a traitor," he pointed at Illyrio, "This man meant no less than to trap you in a devilish plan, and turn you over to the Usurper himself when you attempt to cross the Narrow Sea."

The entire courtyard grew silent. Suddenly, Viserys was beginning to look at Illyrio in a new light. Dany could not quite believe it, yet her brother had always been more wary than her, always more perceptive to the cruelty of those around them. Perhaps he thought such a plan might be possible.

"How could he," Viserys spoke up, "He is arranging a Dothraki arm-"

"An army without boats, your grace," Mairu continued, "You are normally wise to get onto a ship you have no say over," the once cloaked man continued, "But with an army at your back, you would have been willing to lead them as a true king would," he then kicked at Illyrio again, "Well, once you would first make it to a boat, that ship would leave your army behind, and sail with you in chains to the Usurper's court, where you and the last hope of the true Targaryens would end."

Dany looked again at Viserys, who placed his hand on his chin. Dany could see a real consideration on his face, as the gears turned about the suggestion. Finally, a look of confusion, though not rejection, came to VIserys.

"Why would Illyrio do such a thing," Dany's brother wondered aloud, "What would he have to gain?"

"Well your grace," Mairu's face was covered in a smile, "I believe that this man is a Blackfyre."

At that Dany's skin crawled. Blackfyre, the traitors who had been among the first to attempt to overthrow the Targaryen dynasty almost a century ago, when Daemon Blackfyre had died on the Redgrass field. They had launched six attempts to overthrow her family, and place their black dragon over the dead red dragon as rulers. Only-

"The Blackfyre's are extinct," Viserys declared, and Dany nodded. At least since the death of Maelys the Monstrous by the hand of Good Ser Barristen some thirty years past. The thought that a Bl-

"From the male line, your grace," he pointed at Illyrio, "This man has been in meetings with the Gold Company," the Blackfyre's personal army, and enough to at least raise suspicion, "And more solidly…well."

At that, one of the Dothraki then walked forward from his line, hands carrying something long wrapped in a sheet of black and red. He then kneeled before Viserys, who slowly took the object, and stared at it. Then, Viserys unwrapped the sheet, the thing twisting in his arms, before finally, he stopped, and Dany could see his posture completely change. Where before he had been apprehensive, now, he almost seemed to shake, as the long, shining metal blade, with a shaped like two dragon heads, was held in his hands.

"This…this is-"

"Blackfyre," Mairu said, "Stolen from the true line by the pretenders who besmirched the blade's good name."

…

"Yes," VIserys suddenly raised the blade in front of his face. Dany could see the Valyrian Steel reflecting off of the purple eyes of her brother, and could even see the wells of tears begin to pool beneath his eyes, "Yes!"

"A treasure restored," Mairu bowed, as did the Dothraki. For but a moment, Viserys just stared at the blade, a lost relic that had for once been added back to the true line of Aegon the Conquerer, rather than lost or sold. Yet, slowly, Viserys turned his attention to Illyrio, "So you had this then."

"Yo-Your grace," Illyrio stammered, barely able to look at Dany's brother, "Th-Twas to be a gi-"

"Traitor," Viserys pointed the blade at Illyrio's massive gut, coming only a foot from stabbing the merchant, "I should gut you right no-"

"Your grace," Visrys stopped at Mairu's words, "While he shall die, one must remember he is our enemy, and if he managed to hide for so long," the other man nodded at Illyrio as he shook, "Then perhaps he might know if any other would be Blackfyres might be around the Free Cities, waiting to take advantage of the winds of fate."

"...You are correct my good Mairu," Viserys finally said, before slapping a hand onto the cloaked man's shoulder, "You shall serve me well as hand when we arrive in King's Landing."

"Tis an honor your grace," and somehow Dany could hear that he did not think that in the least, but he quickly added, "However, there are preparations that must be made, and other secrets to be uncovered," he then snapped his finger, "Firstly," suddenly a small chest was pulled up, and opened to reveal gold, "I do trust that those around us with pointy sticks," it was only then that Dany once again realized that some of Illyrio's own guards were pointing weapons at the Dothraki, "Might find employment under new management agreeable?"

The guards looked at one another, and then at Illyrio. They then lowered their weapons, clealry not ready to fight for a man as beaten as Illyrio clearly was. Mairu nodded at that, and then swayed his eyes over towards Dany. Dany nearly jumped at a sudden hunger in the man's eyes, and he pointed toward her.

"Get the Rhoynar and her daughter!"

"Wait," Dany stopped, realizing they were not looking for her, but for, "MATA!"

Before Mata and Sheera could do anything, a half dozen of the Dothraki had rushed over, and grabbed both of them. Pulling them away from Dany and towards the rest of the group. They fought for a moment, but the numbers were against them, and quickly they were held by the group of muscled men.

"Find the boy too," Mairu continued, before turning to Viserys, "I will need them and Illyrio in one of the rooms to interrogate them and hold them for when necessary."

"Certainly," Viserys said, now once again absorbed in the blade in his hands, "What ever you think best."

Dany watched in shock as Mata, Sheera and Illyrio were pulled towards one of the cellars, and also the beginning of a commotion as she imagined Baelon was now being restrained in a similar manner. The thought of her friends possibly meeting the same fate as Illyrio terrified her, but she knew that for the nonce, there was nothing she could do. Not with her brother accepting of it.

And he certainly would continue to accept it, what with his eyes overwhelmed with the sight of Blackfyre held firmly in his hands.