Vaqarro Tagaros was a man of fairly simple desires. He would have been content spending his final years reclining in his manse, sipping apricot wine, fucking his favourite bedslave, occasionally leaving to attend a ball or a festival.
He was currently aboard the Green Storm, one of many ships heading into Slaver's Bay, far away from the comforts of home.
Why am I here? Vaqarro looked at his wrinkled hands. A man soon to hit fifty has no place on wild adventures such as this.
Vaqarro looked around the ship and the dozens of younger men in view. Most were slaves while a minority were free men. Members of both groups could be heard chatting excitedly, placing bets on who'd be the first to score a kill, dreaming of the plunder they'd find.
There were other ships as well: to fore and to aft, to port and to starboard, all bobbing gently amidst the waves. Vaqarro couldn't see the men on the others clearly, but he had no doubt they were just as excited about the upcoming battle.
Fools, all. War is a bloody and brutal thing. Even with a force as strong as ours, we will be facing Unsullied, who will fight to the last man. Combined with the sturdy defences of Meereen… many of these youths will not live to see Volantis again.
Vaqarro himself had no wish to be here. But the latest Volantene election had seen two tigers elected, and even Nyessos, formerly an elephant, was now pushing for war. As a result, Volantis had mobilised the majority of its ships and soldiers to crush the dragon queen, whose foolishness was upending the world order.
It was expected that every family of the Old Blood send at least one member to help command the fleet—a show of unity for Volantis. Vaqarro could have sent either of his two sons for this role. Venorys, his younger son, had outright been hoping to go.
But I could not… they still have long lives ahead of them. Even if this commanding role does not mean being first into danger, there is still the risk of death… better for this old man to bear that risk instead.
Vaqarro looked at the ripples of crimson water under the light of the setting sun. One of the few benefits of going on this voyage was seeing sights like this.
But he need only turn his head slightly to be reminded that this was no pleasure cruise. Mounted near the bow of the ship, one on each side, were two scorpions. These contraptions resembled crossbows but scaled up several times and mounted on tripods. These were true weapons of war, not carried by typical ships that were only armed to fend off pirates.
Eventually, Vaqarro felt the pangs of hunger. He turned away from the sea and went to his cabin at the rear of the Green Storm.
As one of the Old Blood, even a relatively minor member, Vaqarro had the luxury of a spacious cabin with a comfortable bed and a chest holding many changes of clothing. Furthermore, soon after he retired to his cabin, two slaves arrived with platters of food. If he instead had to spend weeks in the same conditions as the crew, he might have jumped overboard to end it all.
Vaqarro picked up knife and fork, then began cutting his beef slathered in spices.
While there will be great casualties on our side, victory is still assured. Even after losing some to storms, we have three hundred and twenty ships—the exact number is uncertain, with our fleet being spread out over such a large area. On these ships are over fifty thousand trained fighters.
He lifted a piece of beef to his mouth. A little too spicy, he'd have to tell the cook to be more restrained next time.
And over two hundred scorpions. These dragons of the Targaryen's are the only uncertain factor. But we know that they are no more than a few years old, they have yet to grow into the flying leviathans of the history books. A barrage of scorpion bolts will render them extinct once more…
…I only hope they do not burn this ship before they fall.
Vaqarro tried not to dwell on such matters. It tended to kill the appetite.
Perhaps seeing the dragons die will demoralise Meereen's defenders, but not all. The Unsullied would still fight to their dying breaths. It may take days of bloody fighting before the city is pacified. After that…
Vaqarro took a drink of wine—Arbor Gold, a top-quality vintage imported from across the Narrow Sea. Wine was always good for clearing his thoughts.
We would need to also pacify the slaves whose chains were struck off by the Targaryen. Their sheer number would pose a logistical challenge… we'll need the Yunkish to help process them. It's the least they can do after failing to stop this insolent upstart earlier.
On that note, unless she is killed in the fighting, we will capture the Targaryen as well. What to do with her?
Some other men of the Old Blood, men of higher status than Vaqarro, had laughed amongst themselves, declaring they would take the last of the Valyrians as a concubine and make her bear their children.
Fools as well. Anyone who has paid attention to her history would know she is defiant, unlikely to submit easily. The man who took her as concubine would spend every day thereafter fearing she would slit his throat or poison his food.
It was true that she had a rare beauty. Vaqarro had been to Lys and seen the famously beautiful whores of its pillow houses, yet rumour had it that Daenerys Targaryen was superior to any of them.
Of course, rumours often fail to reflect reality. But we can likely still fetch a good price by selling her to Lys.
More beef went into Vaqarro's mouth, along with a helping of finely diced beet.
But I should be focusing less on the spoils of victory and more on how to achieve victory in the first place.
Vaqarro chewed as he recalled the strategy that Merriquo Maegyr, supreme admiral of this fleet and also cousin to Triarch Malaquo Maegyr, had revealed earlier.
We'll reach Meereen on the morrow. As we approach, we'll load and then cover the scorpions with tarpaulins. The defenders will thus underestimate us. Once the dragons are sent out, we will uncover the scorpions and begin shooting.
After the dragons are killed, we will turn our scorpions and also our catapults upon Meereen's walls. That will keep the defenders occupied as our ships approach the city. Our troops will be unloaded at the docks, then spread out to attack the city at multiple gates. They will have battering rams, and also climbing spikes in case they find an unprotected wall they can scale.
It was a good plan, in Vaqarro's opinion. Thousands of Volantenes would still die in the process, but that was unavoidable when taking a city as fortified as Meereen.
We could do it more cleanly if we could send in a spy to open the gates from the inside, or some shadowy assassin to slay the queen… but such things are the stuff of stories.
Vaqarro finished his dinner and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
Hmm. That was a good meal overall, even if the beef was not ideal.
After dinner, Vaqarro paced around his cabin for a number of minutes, to help his digestion. He also had thoughts of his family.
Seranna… I wonder how her research is progressing? Even before departing for this voyage, I had not checked on her in some time… But with her remaining in Volantis, I know the House of Tagaros remains in able hands.
Vaqarro's wife was a woman who had no true love for him, nor he her, but they had come to an arrangement. They had lain together just enough to produce an heir and a spare, then Vaqarro contented himself with bedslaves while she spent her time on her field of interest, which was the history of Volantis. Vaqarro would have had no objection to her having bedslaves as well, but she'd never shown much interest in carnal matters.
Valorio… perhaps your wife will have given birth by the time I return, making me a grandfather of two.
Vaqarro's elder son was a serious man who wanted to be the best heir to the house possible. He would likely do well in the job. Though Vaqarro did wish he could be more assertive when doing business with others—a Tagaros could not be too meek.
And Venorys… how I wish you'd settle down and find a wife. But Volantis is likely to crumble into dust before that happens…
Eventually, Vaqarro decided to go to bed. As he was changing out of his purple silks and into a sleeping shift, he heard the screams.
N-No… it can't be! We're not even at Meereen yet!
Vaqarro was tempted to hide in his cabin until the danger passed. He was just an old man with no combat training, while the ship had plenty of young and strong men—let them deal with the danger.
But eventually curiosity won out over fear. If this was the day he died, let him at least die knowing the cause of his death.
Without bothering to put his clothes back in order, Vaqarro strode to the starboard window of his cabin, the window facing the direction of the screams, and pulled open the curtain.
It was night, and yet Vaqarro saw the sun.
No… that is no sun!
Vaqarro blinked. The blinding orange light he saw came from a nearby ship. The masts, the deck and the crew of the ship were all burning.
I see… so that's the source of the screams…
Vaqarro's legs failed him. His knees hit the floor and his body slumped against the window. He recalled more words he'd heard from Merriquo earlier.
"Our scholars have examined the histories with a fine-tooth comb, and they've found not a single mention of dragons flying at night. They are like many birds, in that respect. During the nights, at least, our fleet will be able to sail without fear."
It was clear that historians had been wrong on this aspect of dragon behaviour. But knowing that didn't help in the current situation.
I—I must leave this ship before it burns—but how!? Any boat I take might be seen and burned as well! Should I take my chances and swim!?
The thought made Vaqarro laugh out loud and without a trace of humour. He'd learned to swim in his youth, but swimming in the open ocean was a probable death sentence. Unless picked up by a ship soon, he'd either run out of strength or be eaten by sharks.
For now, Vaqarro ran out of his cabin. Being surrounded by wood would give protection against enemy arrows, but it would do nothing against all-consuming fire. At least the open space of the main deck would give him options.
There were dozens of sailors and soldiers out here, the latter armed with spears, axes and bows. They were watching the burning ship—no, the burning ships. Vaqarro realised that two others were also burning, these were just further away than the one he'd seen from his cabin.
Some of the men began noticing Vaqarro's presence. Eventually, this included a grizzled man in a blue longcoat who served as this ship's captain.
"Lord Tagaros!" the captain said desperately. "Your orders!?"
Vaqarro wanted to cry. He'd only agreed to join this mission because his ship would have a captain to handle the actual sailing, as well as officers to lead the soldiers in battle.
But at the same time, he was a Tagaros. He had to live up to that name, else his ancestors would forever shame him in the afterlife.
"Bring up water from the sea!" Vaqarro shouted. "Soak the timbers, the sails—soak yourselves if you fear you will burn! And ready the scorpions!"
Men snapped to obey the orders. They probably shared Vaqarro's doubt that this would even help against dragonflame.
But this gives them something to do, something to keep their minds occupied, instead of being paralysed by fear…
Soon, every part of Vaqarro's ship was soaked with seawater. This included Vaqarro himself, for life was more important than decorum.
Men took up positions at the two scorpions on the ship. Not every ship on the fleet was so armed, but Vaqarro's did have these siege weapons, and he was feeling very glad for that.
"Keep… remain at the ready!" Vaqarro said to the scorpion operators. "Only loose on my signal!"
Vaqarro scanned the surroundings. With all the huge fires around, it should have been easy to spot the dragons. But he could see nothing.
Are my eyes just too old for this? But even these youths have not seen anything…
Sometimes Vaqarro saw what might have been a dragon, only to realise it was just a wave. And then there were times he saw a wave, only to later wonder if it had actually been a dragon. All the while, he'd see a new fire start in the distance.
How can it be this difficult!? Even if they are not full-grown, even if it is currently night, these dragons should still be large beasts! How is it that we cannot see them!?
Vaqarro began hearing screams from below. He initially feared that it was a new kind of monster, one that rose up from the deep to prey on sailors, but then he actually listened to the words.
"Help!"
"Please, let us on!"
It was sailors who'd jumped off the burning ships, some of them at least. Vaqarro gave orders to let down ropes for them to use.
Eventually, Vaqarro stopped seeing new fires. Men occasionally still reached his ship and begged for rescue, but aside from that, the only thing Vaqarro could do was watch the existing fires burn.
I was speculating about our victory, Vaqarro thought bitterly. We have yet to even reach Meereen, and already we've suffered losses to enemy attack!
The fires continued for much of the night. They only died down when they reached the parts of the ships just above the waterline and thus regularly soaked by waves.
Vaqarro and his crew remained awake for the rest of the night in case of further attacks. Even if they'd wanted to sleep, they would not have been able to, not with the fear that had taken root in their hearts. The only time Vaqarro left the deck was to change out of his drenched sleeping shift and into a tunic and leggings of linen—unlike his silks from earlier, these were intended for durability instead of comfort.
Only when morning arrived did Vaqarro have a good view of the damage to the fleet. What had once been magnificent ships, built over years by skilled carpenters using the finest of timbers, were now just blackened husks bobbing in the waves. Eventually, even those husks would break apart.
How many did we lose… twenty? Forty? It could be a hundred or two hundred for all I know.
Vaqarro wasn't just commander of the ship he was on, there weren't enough Old Blood to cover every ship in the fleet. He had also been given command of three others, two of which had been burned.
Was it just luck, that saw the Green Storm spared…?
As Vaqarro surveyed the damage, one of the crew came to him holding a sheet of paper. The paper was curved in a way that suggested it had previously been rolled up.
"Lord Tagaros? This… looks like it was put here last night. The cap'n took a look and said to give it to you."
Vaqarro absentmindedly took the paper and read:
"To the people of Volantis, this is a warning from Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Meereen. Continue any further, and you will find fire and blood. But turn your ships back, and no more harm shall come to you."
A small part of Vaqarro felt outrage that this girl, barely a woman yet, dared to dictate terms to him. The rest was sorely tempted to agree to her terms. He suspected that many of the others on his ship felt the same.
If I turn back now, I'll be the target of scorn, my entire bloodline will be hereafter associated with cowardice. But if I stay the course…
Vaqarro spent a long time thinking. His thinking was eventually interrupted by a voice from below.
"Whoever is commander of this ship, you are summoned by Merriquo!"
That caused Vaqarro to fold up the paper, tuck it into a pocket and then walk to the side of the ship. He was now filled with uncertainty, so he just wanted to have something to do, like the sailors from last night.
Vaqarro climbed down a ladder into a boat. This had several men to row it and also one of his fellows.
"Vaqarro," said Argos Qhaedar, a red-haired man in his forties. In his hand was a roll of paper presumably identical to the one Vaqarro held. "Good to see you survived."
"You as well," Vaqarro replied. He let out a sigh. "But too many have not. Do you know what our supreme admiral intends for us?"
Argos chuckled darkly. "If I was wise enough to know such things, I would never have gone on this godforsaken voyage."
The boat picked up two more Old Blood commanders, causing it to become quite cramped, then headed for its final destination. Vaqarro spotted other boats going to this ship as well.
"Wait…" Vaqarro said, squinting his eyes. "That isn't the Shield of Volantis, where Meriquo was stationed."
"Seems that even our mighty flagship was lost last night…"
They boarded the ship. Over forty of the Old Blood were already gathered on the main deck, and several more joined in the following half-hour.
Once everyone was gathered, the supreme admiral showed himself, looking down on the rest from the poop deck.
"…We have lost thirty-eight ships."
Merriquo Maegyr was a strong and fierce-looking man in his late thirties. He'd spent the better part of two decades exploring the world and fighting against pirates and bandits. That experience was one reason he'd been chosen as supreme admiral of the fleet—the other reason being that Triarch Merriquo wanted one of his blood to have the glory of command.
"My own included," Merriquo admitted. "I had to jump off and swim to another. I know that many of you—let's be frank, all of you must be having doubts now. But we cannot turn back!"
Vaqarro, Argos and many others flinched at the sudden shout.
"Were you terrified last night!? I certainly was! But tell me: do you wish for your friends, your families to feel the same terror you did!?"
The commanders looked at each other uncertainly. Some responded with "But we cannot win if we continue" and "The dragon queen claims…"
"Do you trust the word of the dragon queen!?" Merriquo said forcefully. He held up a roll of paper, then tore it up and tossed the fragments overboard. "She, who broke her word to the Good Masters of Astapor, massacring countless innocents!? She, who attacked an envoy of the Wise Masters!? Do you believe she will keep her word now!? No! If we turn back, then the dread fires of dragons will burn Volantis next!"
That caused a shift in the mood. Everyone here had heard of the treachery and cruelty of Daenerys Targaryen. Even the savage horselords were more trustworthy than her.
He is right… If I turn back now, I will have a peaceful life with my family again… only until we are all consumed by fire! But… can anything we do prevent that?
"And our prospects are far from hopeless! Think again of what just happened! The dragons attacked in the dark of night… because they fear to do so in the light of day!" Merriquo swung one arm towards the morning sun. "We can make it to Meereen before night falls, and when the dragons attack once more, we can shoot them down! We will not let them burn our home! We fight for Volantis!"
Many of the Old Blood raised their arms and shouted in unison, "FOR VOLANTIS!"
"Then return to your ships, tell your men to continue towards Meereen at full speed! We will not let this break us!"
"WE WILL NOT LET THIS BREAK US!"
After that rousing speech, they had a more sensible discussion. The fleet was to continue heading for Meereen. All ships were to double the number of men watching the sky in case of another dragon attack. And to help maintain morale, Merriquo's ship would be in the front, most exposed to danger.
Then Vaqarro and the other commanders began returning to their ships. Vaqarro spoke with Argos, one of the few who hadn't joined in the fervour, one last time.
"Argos, do you think we have a chance of victory?"
"Our mighty admiral seems to believe we do… but you should know better, I think."
As he returned to the Green Storm, Vaqarro continued to have doubts. He kept thinking back to last night.
None of us could clearly see the dragons… some claimed quite forcefully that they had, but their testimonies are doubtful. Will we truly be able to slay them in the light of day?
Vaqarro looked around at the eight or so ships within view, which was just a tiny fraction of the massive fleet of Volantis.
It is difficult to keep track of every ship… perhaps some on the edges of the fleet will break ranks and sail back to Volantis. Better to be known as a coward than a brave corpse at the bottom of the sea.
He was tempted to do so himself, even though his ship was in the middle of the fleet. Only one thing stopped him.
Seranna, Venorys, Valorio… if I flee back to you, I would be a coward for perhaps a few days, weeks, or months. Then we might all be reduced to ash, along with the rest of Volantis.
I am under no illusions that the battle ahead will be easy. But if these old bones of mine can keep you safe, it is a small price to pay!
On returning to the Green Storm, Vaqarro told the crew and the soldiers that they would be continuing for Meereen. He didn't fail to notice the lacklustre responses. But he had no way to change that, he wasn't as good an orator as the supreme admiral. At least they would obey.
The voyage continued. The seas were smooth and the winds were fair, which would make it quite pleasant if not for the danger that awaited them at the end.
Unlike yesterday, there was no light-hearted banter about glorious victory. The men constantly scanned the horizon for anything flying. Whenever a bird or flock of birds was sighted, it was intensely scrutinised until its true nature could be confirmed.
After about two hours, land came into view. After another hour, the pyramids of Meereen came into view.
We're here! But the true challenge only begins now!
I've visited Meereen once before. A beautiful city… it is a shame that we must bring violence and death to it now.
Vaqarro took several deep breaths. He wasn't a veteran general, the sort in works of fiction who could turn the tide of battle with a single cunning plan. But the already-strained morale of his men would break unless he appeared confident.
"It is time!" Vaqarro announced. "We won't bother covering the scorpions, since our enemy has already seen them last night. But do load them and check that their mechanisms are functioning properly."
The Volantene fleet didn't have as many scorpions as before, with the current number estimated at about one hundred. That would still be enough to fill the sky with a storm of death.
"On this sunny day, we won't fail to hit targets as large as dragons! All you need to do is wait for my signal, and then—"
The screams of dying men caused Vaqarro to freeze. He turned to see two ships set alight, one to starboard and one aft of the Green Storm. And this time, he could see the dragons, two blurs of colour darting in and amongst the ships.
Impossible! They can't have gotten in the middle of our fleet, not with us vigilant for them, not with the sun shining so brightly! Unless…
Vaqarro looked upwards. It was around noon, so the sun was almost directly upward.
Did they use it…? Did they fly in at high altitude, then descend with the sun behind them!?
Vaqarro began hearing the thrumming of scorpion bolts piercing through the air. The projectiles were as large as spears, and dozens of them were flying around in all directions. Most just hit the sea, throwing up sprays of water. A few stabbed into the hulls of other ships.
With this many being shot, surely some will find their marks! The dragons can't avoid them all…
Wait, the dragons?
Based on the information gathered about the dragons' growth, they should be significantly larger than humans by now. Yet the blurs that Vaqarro saw were much smaller.
There are some birds that size… but no bird can breathe fire!
Vaqarro only now noticed that the scorpions on his own ship weren't being used. He quickly gave the order to start shooting, though his shocked men took a few seconds to respond.
In the distance, Vaqarro saw more ships go up in flames, more men dive into the sea in the hopes of staying alive just a bit longer.
And he also saw the sea turning red in places. The men in these places were struggling, screaming in agony… and occasionally disappearing beneath the surface.
…I didn't see any sharks last night, but they must have been present then as well… Perhaps they've continued following us, hoping for another feast of human flesh.
Vaqarro turned his gaze back to the dragons. He focused on one of them in particular.
The dragon slowed to make a turn, allowing Vaqarro to see more detail. He saw horns, green wings, green legs and a green tail… yet in between all that, he also saw a surprisingly attractive body.
A… woman!? How can that be!?
The bizarre dragon was soon moving too fast to clearly see again. But Vaqarro did clearly see the green flames she released over a ship.
Not just any ship. It was the new flagship of the fleet, the one that Merriquo had been using. The supreme admiral had a spear in hand, which he threw towards the dragon. Yet that spear hit only air. In the next instant, the flames engulfed his body.
Vaqarro slowly walked over to a barrel and sat down on it, even as the fighting continued to rage around him.
Were the histories also wrong about this? Dragons have not been seen in centuries… did they also have the forms of women back then, in the era of the Valyrians?
Vaqarro vaguely heard some of his men saying they should surrender. That did not cause him to stir.
And their size… all know that larger creatures are less agile than smaller. That trend holds true for creatures that walk, creatures that swim, creatures that fly. We came here expecting clumsy giants that we could easily hit…
Vaqarro saw one of the dragons, this one appearing as a pale blur, abruptly change direction mid-air.
But our clumsy weapons are useless. Like trying to knock birds out of the sky by throwing sticks at them…
Vaqarro saw boats being lowered from his ship, and men fighting over the chance to be on those boats. Other men didn't bother waiting, instead diving overboard to take their chances with the sharks.
Seasoned sailors, battle-hardened soldiers… we set sail from Volantis with many of them, and they are breaking.
We never stood a chance against the dragon queen. No more than flies stand a chance against a spider, or rabbits against a lion.
Vaqarro saw ships turning around as fast as they possibly could, which was still agonisingly slow. None of these ships were targeted by the dragons, however.
Seranna, Venorys, Valorio… I am sorry. If any god, or even demon, can hear me now, please convey my thoughts to my family.
Before the fires come to Volantis… run.
When the fires came to Vaqarro, he felt pain for just a few moments, and then nothing more.