[INT. KING'S LANDING, THE HAND'S CHAMBERS]
[TYWIN LANNISTER works at his desk while TYRION looks on and sighs.]
"The badge looks good on you. Almost as good as it looked on me."
"But you were never the Hand, only filling the position in for your father" Oberyn pointed out, oddly calm and less clipped. "And loathe as I might admit, he was also a good hand to Aerys Targaryen when he served the position" Now the venom was back in his tone.
"I served the position well, interim as it was" Tyrion argued, basing it on what he saw on the wall. "He had no right to take it back as he did and throw me aside to some small quarters in some small part of the castle while he rewards people who did less than I did!"
"On the contrary, he may have every right to do just that. He is the true Hand of The King, he may take his position back and discard you like yesterday's meal. And he is the kind of man to do exactly that."
Jaime put a hand on Tyrion's shoulder and shook his head. There was no use arguing against the Dornishman. Not when he wasn't entirely wrong in his assessment.
"Are you enjoying your new position?"
The ones who had been Hands of Kings and those who saw themselves being one raised a brow at the question.
"Am I enjoying it?"
"I was very happy as Hand of the King."
"Because you got to annoy your sister without any repercussions" Bran chuckled. If he could do that without getting in trouble, he too would be very happy.
Arya whacked Bran on the arm as if she knew what he was thinking. Or because he was agreeing in some way to a Lannister, the ones that got their father killed.
[TYWIN blows on his paper to dry the ink and seals the letter he has finished.]
"I sent you here to advise the king. I gave you real power and authority. You chose to spend your days as you always have, bedding harlots and drinking with thieves."
"Occasionally I drank with the harlots."
"You're not helping your case" Jaime sighed. Sometimes he got annoyed with how his brother acted around their father. So many ways to get their Father to acknowledge him (like this one) and he made jokes like that.
"Wouldn't matter if I didn't joke like that either" Tyrion shrugged.
"What do you want, Tyrion?"
"Why does everyone assume I want something? Can't I simply visit with my beloved father? My beloved father who somehow forgot to visit his wounded son after he fell on the battlefield."
[TYWIN stands and takes a goblet of wine.]
"Maester Pycelle assured me your wounds were not fatal."
"I organized the defence of this city while you held court in the ruins of Harrenhal. I led the foray when the enemies were at the gate while your grandson, the king, quivered in fear behind the walls. I bled in the mud for our family. And as my reward, I was trundled off to some dark little cell. But what do I want? A little bloody gratitude would be a start."
"You did your duty. What is there to applaud you for something you were expected to do?" Brandon the Elder questioned. "Rather you should applaud yourself because you were competent enough for such a position in the first place."
Tyrion just scowled.
"Besides, you're still in open war. As Hand of The King your father would be irresponsible in wasting time checking in on you constantly when he has been assured that you were doing fine" added Rhaegar.
Tyrion's scowl turned darker.
"Jugglers and singers require applause. You are a Lannister. Do you think I demanded a garland of roses every time I suffered a wound on a battlefield? Hmm? Now, I have seven kingdoms to look after and three of them are in open rebellion. So tell me what you want."
"I want what is mine by right. Jaime is your eldest son, heir to your lands and titles. But he is a Kingsguard, forbidden from marriage or inheritance. The day Jaime put on the white cloak, he gave up his claim to Casterly Rock. I am your son and lawful heir."
"Your father has not removed you as heir?" Joanna whispered to her elder son, who shook his head in reply.
"I've told him a few times to do it, but he refuses to" Jaime whispered back.
"He doesn't want a drunken dwarf to follow him as Lord of Casterly Rock" Tyrion cut in darkly, inhaling the wine that appeared in his hand.
"Then perhaps you should prove you're not some drunken dwarf" Joanna raised a brow. "You're a Lannister arent you? Act like it in front of him."
"I am! How else would someone in my place act?" Tyrion snapped.
Joanna eyed her son with disappointment.
"Figure it out. It's why you're here aren't you?"
Tyrion's scowl turned even darker.
[TYWIN sighs.]
"We'll find you accommodations more suited to your name and as a reward for your accomplishments during the battle of Blackwater Bay. And when the time is right, you will be given a position fit for your talents so that you can serve your family and protect our legacy. And if you serve faithfully, you will be rewarded with a suitable wife."
Tyrion narrowed his eyes.
"And I would let myself be consumed by maggots before mocking the family name and making you heir to Casterly Rock."
The imp threw the chalice in his hand, making multiple people jump in fright. All of them turned, ready for some explosion. All they saw was a tiny man red in the face from anger.
"Why?"
"Why? You ask that? You, who killed your mother to come into the world?"
"He can't possibly be blaming you for this" Joanna gasped in shock.
"He is" Jaime sighed, Tyrion shaking in anger beside him.
If Tywin was here, the woman would have slapped him across the face.
"You are an ill-made, spiteful little creature full of envy, lust, and low cunning. Men's laws give you the right to bear my name and display my colours since I cannot prove that you are not mine."
Tyrion (still fuming) flinched,
"To teach me humility, the gods have condemned me to watch you waddle about wearing that proud lion that was my father's sigil and his father's before him. But neither gods nor men will ever compel me to let you turn Casterly Rock into your whorehouse. Go, now. Speak no more of your rights to Casterly Rock. Go."
Much like the Tyrion from the Future, the Tyrion in the Hall got up and walked out briskly.
Joanna went to follow but Jaime gripped her arm and shook his head.
"Let him cool down," he said softly.
Myrcella watched her uncle walk out and just frowned. She may have been unhappy with how her uncle had treated her future self or her mother, but she felt bad for him. Her grandfather was being unnecessarily cruel to him.
[EXT. THE SEAS OUTSIDE SLAVER'S BAY]
[The dragons screech as they fly next to a boat at sea.]
"They've started flying" Daenerys commented, excitement bubbling inside her.
"Dragons at that age grow fast if they are fed properly, and they grow the more room they have to grow. Before you know it they'll be big enough to carry you" Brynden explained kindly.
"I can ride them soon," Daenerys said in awe. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like to fly on a dragon.
[On the deck are DAENERYS TARGARYEN and SER JORAH MORMONT watch them. DROGON dives and catches a fish. He cooks it with his fire breath and swallows it. He lands next to DAENERYS for affection.]
"He's bonded with you the strongest" Brynden commented with a faint smile. "He might become your mount."
Daenerys' eyes were fixed on the black dragon. Her mount…
[DROGON screeches again and takes flight.]
"We'll be in Astapor by nightfall. Some say the Unsullied are the greatest soldiers in the world."
"The greatest slave soldiers in the world. The distinction means a good deal to some people."
"That might be an issue" Elia frowned. Westeros had moved on from slavery a long time ago, and anyone even remotely reintroducing them might not be seen favourably.
"Do those people have any better ideas about how to put you on the Iron Throne?"
"Making do with what you have" Oberyn frowned. But he couldn't help but be a little turned away from Jorah's advice to the woman. There were definitely many who would take her side if they saw three dragons on her.
[A Dothraki man vomits on the deck below.]
"Oh they're on the ship as well" Elia blinked.
Robert's eyes narrowed on the vomiting Dothraki. If that damned Targaryen girl can convince these superstitious people to take to the seas… he must nip that in the bud. She was still too important to kill with what awaits them beyond the wall, he would admit it now. So he would need to think of other ways to nip it in the bud.
"You're right. Another lovely day on the high seas."
"Don't mock them. They're the first Dothraki who have ever been on a ship. They followed me across the poison water. If they'll do it, others will. And with a true khalasar..."
"The Dothraki follow strength above all, Khaleesi. You'll have a true khalasar when you prove yourself strong. And not before."
"Even a single Dragon listening to her would be enough of a power show. She has three, they will all bow to her without question" Rhaegar said with the utmost confidence.
Daenerys did not reply to him.
[INT. DRAGONSTONE WAR ROOM]
[STANNIS BARATHEON sits, looking out to the sea, with MELISANDRE standing beside him. DAVOS enters.]
"I heard you were dead."
"Maybe smile a little to show you are relieved" Robert suggested.
"Davos knows what I mean" Stannis muttered with a shrug.
[DAVOS approaches to address STANNIS.]
"Your Grace, you are the rightful king. Not only by blood. You're an honourable man, a just man. And there is still a war to fight."
"I am fighting."
"By burning prisoners alive?"
Stannis flinched.
"How would you punish the infidels, Ser Davos?"
"Infidels" Robert spat. The more he saw of this woman the less he was inclined to show her any mercy.
"These Red Priests and Priestesses are some of the most extreme people I've ever seen" Oberyn muttered.
"I do not judge people for the gods they worship. If I did, I'd have thrown you in the sea before you ever set foot on Dragonstone."
"I'm not your enemy."
"You are my enemy."
"Aye, she is" Robert grunted.
"Was it me you fought on Blackwater Bay? Did I set your ships ablaze? I wasn't there when the wildfire killed our men by the thousands."
"Ironic your fire god allowed that after all the sacrifices" Oberyn drawled sharply.
"He does not like them does he" Daenery whispered to Elia.
"He does not" Elia sighed.
"I could have saved those men. You would have taken the city, Stannis would now sit upon his rightful throne, and you would stand beside him. But I wasn't there because you convinced your king to leave me behind."
"And she pins it on him!" Renly barked a laugh. "Tell me you do not believe it."
"I'm afraid I don't recognize the man I'm seeing" Stannis muttered.
Renly stared at his brother, too shocked to speak after seeing him this confused and conflicted for the first time in his life.
"Do you hear them screaming? All those burning men in the water crying for their mothers, for their gods for help? Until the moment the Blackwater swallowed them."
[MELISANDRE touches DAVOS 's cheek, and he recoils.]
"Don't despair, Ser Davos. What I told your son is true."
[She whispers in his ear]
"Death by fire is the purest death."
"How dare she" Catelyn snarled in outrage. Not only a heretic, but she was cruel as well! Who even says that to a man who just lost his son?!
[Enraged, DAVOS draws his dagger and raises it to stab her. The guards hold him back. DAVOS growls.]
"This woman is evil! She's the mother of demons."
"Take him to the dungeon and lock him in a cell."
Stannis' eyes darkened. How far had he fallen…
[The guards pull him backwards out of the room.]
"You've chosen the darkness, Ser Davos."
"She will destroy us all!"
[The guards remove him from the chamber.]
"The moment she appears on Westerosi soil, we will make sure she dies" Robert rumbled furiously, his eyes pinned on the Master of Whispers.
Varys bowed low. He had no problems killing a witch like her.
[KINGS LANDING STREETS]
[MARGAERY walks with purpose, and her maid tries to keep up.]
"What are you trying you foolish girl" Olenna narrowed her eyes.
"I shall let you know once I figure it out, Grandmother," Margaery said with a smile.
"My lady. We should have guards, my lady."
"You should. Those streets are not safe for a woman" Renly explained.
[MARGAERY is blocked by a disfigured commoner, who looks at her with disdain. She smiles at him.]
"Pardon me."
"He might not like that smile" Sansa muttered with worry for her new friend. She still remembered seeing the people turn feral on her.
[A woman empties a bucket of faeces just in front of MARGAERY's path.]
Arya made a face.
[She continues, optimistic and undeterred.]
"Stop, my lady. You'll ruin your dress."
"I have others."
[She steps across the puddle of filth and her handmaid follows.]
[A SMALL COURTYARD]
[MARGAERY sits surrounded by children. One, a young boy, is speaking to her.]
"He was a soldier. He went to fight on the walls when the ships came into Blackwater Bay. He never came back."
"And your mother?"
"She died when she had me."
"Bad men wanted to come into this city and do terrible things, but your father stopped them."
[MARGAERY hands him a toy knight carved from wood.]
"Whenever you look at this knight, I want you to remember your father."
"He wasn't a knight. He was just a soldier."
"And what do knights swear to do? Protect the weak and uphold the good. Your father did that. Be proud of him."
[She turns to another child.]
"Was your father a soldier, too?"
[The child nods]
"You should be proud, too. Under King Joffrey's leadership, your fathers saved the city. They saved us all. From now on, we're going to take care of you. All of you."
"Interesting way of winning the Small Folk" Jon Arryn commented thoughtfully. "I believe with your presence and show of friendship and understanding, they would open up to you even more."
"Going there without guards was stupid" Olenna muttered.
Margaery only smiled and patted her grandmother on the hand.
[INT. JOFFREY'S DINING TABLE, NIGHT]
[The doors open. JOFFREY and CERSEI join MARGAERY and SER LORAS TYRELL for dinner. They rise and bow.]
"Please, sit. Sit. I do apologize, my lady. Small council meetings. At what point does it become treason to waste the king's time?"
[MARGAERY laughs.]
Sansa rolled her eyes. Once upon a time, she would have swooned at words like those. But she'd seen the monster that Joffrey was. All of those were empty pleasantries.
"That's a lovely gown, my lady."
"Yes, it suits you perfectly. I imagine you might be rather cold."
"The climate is a bit more forgiving back in Highgarden, Your Grace."
"Shall I have them bring you a shawl, my lady?
"I am touched by your concern, Your Grace. Luckily for us Tyrells, our blood runs quite warm."
"Loras, isn't the queen's gown magnificent? The fabric, the embroidery, the metalwork. I've never seen anything like it."
"Why are you asking your brother that? Boys won't understand all of that," Sansa asked.
"I have three brothers, Lady Sansa. Loras would be the only one to understand that" Margaery smiled. "He's picked on a lot on fashion and things from mother and I growing up."
Sansa nods. She wished at least one of her brothers was like that. Or even Arya.
[They all sit at the table, and servants begin to pour the wine.]
"You might find a bit of armour quite useful once you become queen. Perhaps before. Joffrey tells me you stopped your carriage at Flea Bottom on your way back from the sept this morning."
"Yes. I paid a visit to an orphanage the High Septon told me about."
"Margaery does a great deal of work with the poor back in Highgarden."
"The lowest among us are no different from the highest if you give them a chance and approach them with an open heart."
"An open heart is what you'll get in Flea Bottom if you're not careful, my dear. Not long ago, we were attacked by a mob there. We had a full complement of guards that didn't stop them. The king barely escaped with his life."
"The King was the first to run and hide" Arya snorted.
"But she isn't wrong either. Flea Bottom is dangerous" Sansa muttered.
"She is. But Joffrey is still a coward big" Arya shrugged.
"He is" Sansa chuckled.
"My mother's always had a penchant for drama. Facts become less and less important to her as she grows older. Our lives were never truly in danger."
"You're right, of course. But you are your father's son. We can't all have a king's bravery."
Multiple people snorted.
"Hunger turns men into beasts. I'm glad House Tyrell has been able to help in this regard. They tell me 100 wagons arrive daily now from the Reach. Wheat, barley, apples. We've had a blessed harvest. And, of course, we must assist the capital in time of need."
"Well, as Ser Loras said, Lady Margaery has done this sort of... charitable work before. I'm sure she knows what she's doing."
"The concept must be foreign to the bastard" Oberyn drawled, "with Cersei for a mother."
Jaime fisted his hand in frustration. Try as he might, he couldn't defend Cersei in this instance. She was not the most charitable person.
[THE PATH LEADING TO ASTAPOR]
[KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ leads DAENERYS, JORAH, and MISSANDEI. MISSANDEI translates for KRAZNYS. KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ speaking Valyrian.]
"The Unsullied have stood here for a day and a night with no food or water."
"You should know Valyrian" Rhaegar frowned.
"I do know it" Daenerys defended with a scowl.
"Then why do you need a translator?"
"If we keep watching maybe you can find out."
Rhaegar and Daenerys glared at one another before both of them looked away.
[KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ speaking Valyrian.]
"They will stand until they drop. Such is their obedience."
"That sounds extremely cruel" Myrcella commented with a frown.
"A soldier is expected to fight till their dying breath, but the Unsullied are treated cruelly" Brynden spoke, "they were modelled after the Lockstep Legions of Old Ghis but they are not free men. Their training and recruitment are… well perhaps you may be too young to know it."
"She is" Oberyn chuckled with a shake of his head. "It's inhumane."
Myrcella nodded and thanked them both for the explanation. Oberyn took the words with a surprised small smile. Brynden on the other hand just nodded and looked away, before he gave a small frown.
[The foursome walks through a battalion of Unsullied warriors, standing at attention, who have made an aisle for them to pass through.]
"They may suit my needs. Tell me of their training."
[MISSANDEI speaks Valyrian]
"The Westrosi woman is pleased with them but speaks no praise to keep the price down. She wished to know how they are trained."
[KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ speaking Valyrian.]
"Tell her what she would know and be quick about it."
[Once they are through, the Unsullied reform at attention. The four ascend a platform at the end of the yard, the sea behind them, to survey the soldiers.]
"They begin their training at five. Every day they drill from dawn to dusk until they have mastered the shortsword, the shield, and the three spears. Only one boy in four survives this rigorous training. Their discipline and loyalty are absolute. They fear nothing."
Myrcella flinched. The men were right, it was cruel.
"Even the bravest men fear death."
[MISSANDEI translates to KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ and the man replies in Valyrian.]
"My master says the Unsullied are not men. Death means nothing to them."
Daenerys was not comfortable with how the man was treating Missandei. It reminded her a lot of Viserys.
"Quite a summarized translation" Rhaegar chuckled.
[KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ speaking Valyrian]
Daenerys shifted in her seat, her face red.
"What did he say?" Sansa asked her father, who shrugged. Ned did not speak Valyrian either.
"They insulted her from the looks of it" Bran stated, frowning at Daenerys who was red in the face.
"Probably did. The man seems nasty" Arya muttered.
[KRAZNYS steps forward and descents to the yard.]
"He begs you attend to this carefully, Your Grace."
[KRAZNYS calls an Unsullied forward. He pushes the man's shield and spear aside. He takes the Unsullied's knife and cuts away part of his leather chest armour]
"Tell the good master there is no need."
[KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ speaking Valyrian.]
"I hope he dies soon" Daenerys muttered angrily.
[KRAZNYS slices off the man's nipple, throwing it to the ground. The solder does not flinch.]
The soldier may not have flinched, but many of the people in the Hall had.
"He's so cruel" Lyanna muttered in horror.
"That is… tame in many ways for men of his stature" Brynden stated.
Lyanna's face grew grim.
"My master points out that men don't need nipples."
[KRAZNYS replaces the armour strap and returns the soldier's arms to the ready. KRAZNYS turns around to face DAENERYS. The Unsullied soldier steps back into formation. KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ speaks Valyrian.]
"To win his shield, an Unsullied must go to the slave marts with a silver mark, find a newborn, and kill it before its mother's eyes. This way, my master says, we make certain there is no weakness left in them."
"Oh my god" Catelyn gasped in horror, summing up the thoughts of many more.
Even Olenna was distruebed by it.
"You take a babe from its mother's arms, kill it as she watches, and pay for her pain with a silver coin?"
[MISSANDEI speaks Valyrian.]
[KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ speaking Valyrian.]
"I am no fool! You're just cruel" Daenerys snapped. Elia rubbed her back gently to help her calm.
"My master would like you to know that the silver is paid to the baby's owner, not the mother."
"So one slaver to the other" Ned spoke coldly. These men… they were no men at all! To not even think of others with some care was… He was lost for words.
"How many do you have to sell?"
[MISSANDEI speaking Valyrian. KRAZNYS holds up eight fingers.]
"Eight thousand."
[KRAZNYS MO NAKLOZ speaking Valyrian.]
Daenerys was practically seething now.
"Master Kraznys asks that you please hurry. Many other buyers are interested."
[KRAZNYS sheaths the knife. The Unsullied make way for KRAZNYS and MISSANDEI as the exit, then return to formation.]
[SLAVER'S BAY SHORE]
[DAENERYS and JORAH walk along the shore.]
"Eight thousand dead babies."
"The Unsullied are a means to an end."
"Of course the slaver would think that is what she is horrified about, her image and not the lives lost" Ned sneered, surprising his family who had never heard him use such a tone before.
None of them were surprised though. They were equally struck by what they'd seen and heard.
"Once I own them, these men... "
"They're not men. Not anymore."
"They are" Daenerys ground out. How could he even suggest that?!
"Once I own an army of slaves, what will I be?"
"Do you think these slaves will have better lives serving Kraznys and men like him or serving you?"
[They come upon a busy yard where people work and some children play. One child in particular looks at them as she tosses a wooded ball to herself. JORAH and DAENERYS continue into the yard.]
"You'll be fair to them. You won't mutilate them to make a point."
[The CHILD remains just ahead of them. Meanwhile, a dark hooded figure follows behind.]
"This does not look good" Elia muttered.
"The child or the hooded figure?" Oberyn asked lazy gaze meeting surprised ones.
"The man of course!" Elia exclaimed.
"You won't order them to murder babies. You'll see they're properly fed and sheltered. A great injustice has been done to them. Closing your eyes will not undo it."
[The CHILD rolls her wooden ball to DAENERYS, who picks it up. The CHILD motions for her to open it. Behind her, the hooded figure draws a knife. He knocks the ball out of her hand before she can twist it open. JORAH grabs the man and wrestles him to the ground, revealing SER BARRISTAN SELMY.]
"What is he doing there?" Elia frowned. And why was he trying to kill Daenerys? He wasn't serving the Lannisters anymore…
[DAENERYS has been knocked to the ground, and the ball sits inches from her face. It opens, and a chittering, shiny scorpion crawls out and unfolds itself into display. It launches itself at DAENERYS but is skewered by BARRISTAN's knife before it reaches her. He studies the pierced arachnid]
Elia blinked in surprise before turning to Oberyn who was grinning.
"You knew that was Ser Barristan?" she asked.
"No. But I know that not even children can be trusted so easily out there" he answered.
[BARRISTAN flicks the scorpion off his knife. The CHILD, whose mouth is now a corrupt shade of green, flees and jumps off the dock to the water. But when BARRISTAN reaches the edge, the CHILD is nowhere to be seen. He sheaths his knife, confused. DAENERYS and JORAH spot the CHILD on the overlook above them before she walks away.]
"The warlocks."
"They're still around? I thought Daenerys burned them" Arya said in confusion.
"She burned one. Surely there are more" Jon explained.
[She walks towards BARRISTAN.]
"I owe you my life, Ser."
"The honour is mine, my queen."
[He lowers his hood.]
"You know this man?"
"I know him as one of the greatest fighters the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen and as the Lord Commander of Robert Baratheon's Kingsguard."
[BARRISTAN approaches.]
"King Robert is dead. I have been searching for you, Daenerys Stormborn, to ask your forgiveness. I was sworn to protect your family. I failed them."
[BARRISTAN kneels before her.]
"I am Barristan Selmy, Kingsguard to your father. Allow me to join your Queensguard and I will not fail you again."
"Barristan Selmy would be a formidable sword to have," Rhaegar thought out loud, but Daenerys was not paying him much attention.
Tyrion returned just then and blinked with surprise.
"The Wall continued?" he asked.
"It did" Jaime answered.
"I thought it stopped for anyone important if they stepped out."
"Perhaps you're not as important as you thought you were" Oberyn added with a teasing grin.
Tyrion fisted his hand and returned to his seat with a scowl.