CHAPTER 3
AN INVITATION
Daenerys POV
"Dragonglass?"
Her exasperation grew with every passing minute. She had lost her fleet and Dorne, and here was her illustrious Hand talking about minerals as if they held consequence.
"Why are we discussing glass? We just lost two allies!"
"Which is why I spoke to Jon Snow—a potential ally."
She questioned the logic behind the request. Tyrion continued explaining how this dragonglass could be turned into weapons to fight the army of the dead. He strove to keep a straight face while nonsense poured from his mouth, even attempting to use an old saying to save face.
"Are you trying to present your own statements as ancient wisdom?"
She noticed the slight wince in his expression. "I would never do that… to you."
She rolled her eyes internally and began to walk away. She didn't have time for this.
Yet Tyrion continued defending his case for Jon Snow, arguing that he wouldn't have come to Dragonstone at his own peril unless he was sincere, and that allowing him to mine the obsidian would mean no loss to her.
His argument was compelling, and her resolve softened a little. Her Hand had a talent for disarming her.
"Apologies, Your Grace."
Varys strode in, silks shuffling as he held a scroll. A bird of ill omen, she thought.
"What is it now?"
"A message from Highgarden," he responded, showing her Olenna's seal.
Daenerys took the parchment and broke the seal. Walking toward the light of the window in the map table room, she opened the message and read.
The Lannister army in full march upon Highgarden…
Her vision blurred as she read the first line, remembering Tyrion had made her send her Unsullied to Casterly Rock. She placed a hand on the edge of the table to steady herself.
"It cannot be…"
She struggled to carry on reading.
Your new ally's army is set to ambush and destroy them upon the Mander plains. They invite you to fly in and witness the lions' demise. Do not engage; the Lannisters have dragon-sized ballistae. Wait until the Vikings burn them.
Olenna Tyrell
Overtaken by confusion, Daenerys handed the parchment to Tyrion, who approached her slowly, trying to interpret her reaction.
She saw all blood drain from his face as he read, his brow furrowing in perplexity.
"Vikings? What are Vikings?" Tyrion asked, to no one in particular.
Daenerys snatched the parchment from his hands.
"Am I expected to know?"
"You are not planning to go there…" His voice held a tinge of plea.
"It carries Olenna's seal. Do you advise against it?"
"It makes no sense. A new ally… Who and why?"
Daenerys paused to respond. "There is only one way to find out."
"Don't go… it's too risky." Tyrion's request sounded defeated.
"I need to know. I need to show Highgarden and all my allies that I care about their fates."
Tyrion pressed on. "What if it's a trap? By the Seven, they have scorpions!"
"I intend to remain out of reach. Besides, why warn me of the… scorpions, if the message is a trap? What else could they do to harm me if I am atop Drogon?"
She looked at Varys, who had remained silent and still during the exchange, his countenance betraying nothing.
"What says my Master of Whispers? Have you heard anything about these Vikings or a new ally?"
Varys took a deep breath. "I would have informed you about it, Your Grace."
"So nothing? Not even unconfirmed hearsay?"
"Nothing, Your Grace." The eunuch seemed embarrassed to admit it.
Daenerys' disbelief was evident; her resolve to attend Olenna's summons was set.
"Very well then. Do have your little birds inquire about it, wherever they are."
Varys bowed in deference.
She then spoke to Tyrion.
"If I am not back by nightfall, know that it was indeed a trap, and send the Dothraki to avenge their Khaleesi."
"Yes, Your Grace." His voice was small, his eyes cast down.
As she made her way out, Tyrion absently asked:
"What of Jon Snow?"
Daenerys couldn't care less; her pause was brief.
"Let him have his glass."