Astapor, 300 AC
Daenerys
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Dany watched the swan ship depart the port. A passing merchant from the Summer Isles had been paid handsomely to carry out Xhalor's last wishes, and to take four Unsullied hailing from the Isles who chose to return with their fallen brother. True to her promise, she had decreed that Slaver's Bay would now be called Xhalor's Bay. He was the first slave to turn against the masters, and his name would be remembered for all of eternity.
It had been six days since her arrival in Astapor, and the largest pyramid served as her residence for the time being. Dutch had wanted to show something at that morning.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the flag of the United Cities!" he said in a poetic manner, like a herald. The banner was rolled up atop a wooden pole, and Dutch pulled the rope to reveal it. It was a beautiful creation, Dany thought. The red Targaryen three-headed dragon was on a deep blue field, with two white stars on top. The courtiers let out an applause as it happened.
"It is a beautiful sigil, but why does it have those stars?" she asked.
"The stars represent Qarth and Astapor, the first two members of our new nation. Whenever we liberate a new city, we will add one star to the flag."
An ever-changing sigil. Qal, Qarkash and Port Yhos were too small to be considered cities, but it might change in the future when she sent settlers to populate the towns and ruined cities once more.
After the ceremony, there was much to be done. The first people to come were former slave scribes who told her of Astapor's history. The cities in the newly renamed bay depended entirely on slavery, and as such would fall into ruin without a source of coin.
"That's not good." said Dutch. "But I have a few ideas on how to solve this."
"Do tell."
"The climate here is pleasant, unlike Qarth. We can have traders bring fruit seeds from all over the world and set up farms. Mangoes and oranges and the like. I think Yi Ti and the Summer Isles would be willing to cut a deal with us."
"I have heard of abandoned iron and copper mines near the mountains." Daario added. "It might be best if we reopened them. More material for the dragons and the cannons."
The situation was dire, but they would endure. The Unsullied patrolled the streets, builders and masons worked on repairing the walls, and all the masters had been killed. Missandei herself had identified the corpse of Kraznys Mo Nakloz, impaled with an Unsullied spear. Though she had her brothers back, the girl still missed Arthur. As it turned out, so did Dany. After Ser Jorah left, she needed him close to her.
The next day, a most peculiar set of people arrived in the city to seek an audience. They wore red robes and watched her with curiosity.
"Queen Daenerys, it is an honor." said an attractive woman in Valyrian. "I am Kinvara, a priestess of R'hllor, the Lord of Light."
"The Lord of Light, from the temple in Volantis?" Dany asked, growing suspicious of the strangers. "Your city was among those who attacked Qarth."
"We are merely the servants of our Lord, and far above the squabbles of the less worthy." she replied confidently.
"In that case, you are welcome. Why do you seek an audience? Is it to preach your faith?" priests had only one goal, more often than not.
"Our Lord had led us to you."
"How so?"
"In our faith, we believe in the prophesy of Azor Ahai, the prince who was promised to bring the dawn. We have been watching you, Mother of Dragons, and the signs are clear. The prophesy refers to you."
That sounded like a mummer's trick.
"The prince who was promised. I am not a man."
"It matters not. If the Lord wills it, it must be true." the priestess insisted. "One misguided sister of our order believed that the Stag pretender in Westeros is the prince, yet the man does not have R'hllor's favor. The Mother of Dragons, however, has been victorious in every battle."
"Say that your prophesies are true, despite my reluctance to believe in them, what does your Lord want from me?"
"To bring the dawn, and to protect the world from the second Long Night."
They believe in the stories of wet nurses?
"I am afraid that it is very hard to believe. I am on a mission to liberate the slaves, and the way I see it, your faith practices both slavery and torture." Dany had heard of their practices, how they burnt people on the stake for their god.
"We cannot usher into a new age without leaving the old ways behind." Kinvara said. "To prove our loyalty, we will help you in your conquest."
"How can a few priests help me?" she asked.
Kinvara chuckled. "Men never think much of priests. Why should they? What is our purpose other than giving relief to those who need it? But they forget that the Lord works in ways mere mortals can never understand. We pass unseen into cities, and who knows, we might even find our way to the slaves in Yunkai, Meereen and New Ghis."
Dany was beginning to understand. "You propose to incite slave rebellions?"
"The Lord can guide us, but we must do the task ourselves. Yunkai and New Ghis will fall, and it will be up to you to rebuild them the way you see fit." she bowed and began to leave.
"I want to ask you something."
"By all means."
"Do you know a woman called Quaithe of the Shadow? Is she a member of your order?" that woman had spoken to Dany in the same manner as the red priestess.
"I am afraid not." the woman answered. "The night is dark and full of terrors, Queen Daenerys."
What a strange woman.
Arthur was instructed to stay north of Meereen until he got received a messenger. Dany could not risk the slavers getting wind of her movements. The warriors with her wanted a much-needed rest after a long journey to these lands, but she knew that they would have to move further soon. Her days had the same rhythm, listening to the new citizens and watching over the works in progress. It was like being back in Qarth once more.
"We have a new visitor, Your Grace." Missandei said. "Someone from Westeros."
That got Dany's attention. "A merchant?"
"I don't think so, Your Majesty." Dutch entered the court. "He's got an army with him. Hundreds. The good thing is, he's not here to attack."
"Very well. Send him in please." Who would be so bold as to enter her city with an armed host? Dany sat on her throne, with her children by her side. The hall was large enough to house them.
The gates opened, and five figures entered the court- one man and four women. They wore fine sets of robes that exposed some measure of skin. Four of them had dark hair and slightly tanned skin, while the youngest woman had blonde hair with a fair complexion. They carried themselves like nobles, though there was no sigil in sight.
"Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons, Breaker of Chains and Queen of the United Cities welcomes you, strangers." Missandei announced. "State your names and your business."
The five people looked at her and her dragons with awe. Then the man began speaking.
"In King's Landing, I heard whispers of a girl with nothing to her name, perpetually on the run from assassins and whatnot. In just a few moons, the girl managed to acquire everything a king desires, even hatching three dragons after centuries. People say she practices witchcraft and fells cities to the ground and forces her subjects to worship her like a god in mortal form.
Yet all I see is a happy people and a queen who cares for them. It is truly an honor."
The man had charm, but he had not answered what was asked. "I thank you for your kind words, my lord, but who might you be?"
The man looked at her and smiled a sad smile. "My house was once joined to yours through marriage, before we were all betrayed. My sister was wed to your brother, and I held your nephew Aegon and niece Rhaenys in my arms. My name is Oberyn of House Nymeros-Martell, and I am here to join you, Queen Daenerys Targaryen."
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The Dothraki Sea, 300 AC
Arthur
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It had been two days since Arthur went out hunting with Barristan and Charles. The knight was showing them how to use a spear.
"Did you do much hunting back home?" he asked the old man.
"King Robert never had an interest in ruling, but the same could not be said for his passion for the hunt. He would take the entire Kingsguard with him to the woods, and we would stay there for weeks at a time. Who knew that it would be the end of him."
"I heard. What happened really?"
"A boar. The King was too drunk, on account of his squire giving him too much wine. The tusks impaled his belly, and he did not survive for long."
"Yeah, boars can be like that." Arthur remembered an incident long ago, when he almost came close to suffering the same fate. Good thing he had his sawed-off ready. The hide was damaged though, but nothing's more precious than life.
"You ever used a spear, Charles?"
"Can't say that I have. Bows and arrows are my thing." he replied. "But I can see the advantage. One just needs to have enough strength in the arm."
"Stop!" said Barristan. "I see them."
There were two bucks in the distance, grazing peacefully. Now was their chance.
"Everyone ready?" Arthur asked. "Let's go!" the three horses sprinted as fast as they could. The bucks saw them coming and started to run.
"I have this one!" Barristan shouted. "Get the other!" He then threw his spear at it, which hit the beast perfectly. Arthur and Charles on the other hand were still trying.
"Here goes nothing!" Arthur tried his luck and missed. Charles was not faring too better as well. They had wasted two spears.
"Well, time to go back to our roots then." Arthur pulled out his lasso and kicked Boadicea to sprint faster. The buck was again within range and he threw the rope. It captured the animal's neck, and it came to a halt. Charles then swooped in and threw his second spear, this time hitting the target.
"Aren't doing too well, are we?" he laughed and surprisingly, Charles joined in.
"Well, Mr. Smith. I never thought I'd see the day!"
They stowed the carcass on Charles' horse, collected the spears and made their way towards Barristan. Skilled or not, a kill is a kill. At least they hadn't cheated by using their guns.
They reached back to the camp the next day to find that another brawl was in progress.
"Not this again!" Arthur said as he dismounted Boadicea. "Forrester! Beskha! What is it now?"
"It is John Marston!" Asher replied. "We cannot find him anywhere."
"What!" he couldn't believe it. He and Charles rushed towards the healer's tent only to find it abandoned and raided. How could this happen?
"We found it empty this morning. The bastards must have run off during the night." it was Beskha. "The healer had his throat slit."
"It was one of those damn Dothraki!" a rifleman added. "We cannot trust these savages!"
Arthur's blood was boiling, anger close to consuming him. He should never have let his sights off the boy.
"Do you have any proof?"
"We caught one of them acting strange." said Asher. "Your friend is interrogating him as we speak."
"Let's go then. And soldier, fire a warning shot to get these men to stop." he ordered the rifleman who did as he was told. The brawl didn't last long after that.
I swear if they harm that boy.
The group entered a tent where Rakharo had tied a Dothraki warrior up. The man was bleeding and out cold. Charles talked to him.
"He squealed." said Charles. "There were a few men sent here to infiltrate our camp. His friend took John."
"Where?"
"To Khal Jhaqo." Rakharo said, "To Vaes Dothrak."
"They stole some rifles as well." Charles added. "What are we gonna do?"
"We never leave one of our own behind." Arthur answered. "We'll go after him. Are you with me?"
"Always." the man said and began to gather his stuff. Arthur then turned to the rest of his companions. "What about you all?"
"I will come." said Barristan.
"So will I" said Asher.
"So will I" Beskha repeated.
"I…will." Rakharo agreed as well.
The group left the tent and went to Syrio Antaryon, who was in the middle of berating his troops.
"Captain, the plan has changed a bit. We'll head towards Vaes Dothrak."
Syrio was shocked. "Have you lost your wits? The hordes are dangerous."
"Yeah, but so are we. We'll kill them if we must, but we'll get our brother back. Ready your men please."
"But…"
"Our deal depends on it, Captain. Remember that."
By noon, the camp was torn down and carriages were filled. Arthur and the Braavosi captains led the host of seven thousand men towards the northeast. Towards Vaes Dothrak. Their mission- to bring John back alive, and may God have mercy on anyone who stood in their way, because they won't.
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Notes: Please do leave a review on any chapter you read, even if it's criticism. It will make the story better in future.