Chapter 9 Chapter 8 Daenerys

The blue sea is very calm, only the slow and steady beat of the drums and the gentle paddling of the wooden oars can be heard.The great merchant ship Balerion groaned, its heavy towing ropes stretched tightly, and its sails hung pitifully from the mast, motionless.Even so, as she stood on the foredeck watching her dragons chase each other across the clear blue sky, Daenerys?Targaryen was still happier than ever. Her Dothraki called the sea poisonous water, and any fluid that a horse couldn't drink was unclean.The day the three ships weighed anchor from Qarth, the expressions on their faces looked as if they were heading for hell instead of Pentos.Her young and brave bloodriders watched the shrinking shoreline, eyes wide and white, but each was determined not to show fear in front of the other two. Her handmaidens, Irri and Jhiqui, had no scruples, They clung to the railing so desperately that they vomited over even the slightest jolt.The rest of Dany's young khalasar stayed below decks, preferring the company of nervous horses to the sight of this frightful landless world.After sailing for six days, she encountered a sudden storm, and through the hatch she heard sounds below deck: the horses kicked and neighed, and the riders kept praying in soft, trembling voices.

But no storm can scare Dany, and her nickname is "Stormborn."When she was born crying on the distant Dragonstone Island, the biggest storm in the history of Westeros roared on the sea at the same time.So violent was the storm that it ripped apart the gargoyles on the walls and destroyed her father's fleet. There were storms on the Narrow Sea, and Dany had crossed it dozens of times as a child, fleeing from one Free City to the next, just one step ahead of the usurper's assassins.In the process, she fell in love with the ocean.She likes the pungent salty smell in the air, and the boundless sea covered by the sky.Although it made her feel small, it also felt freeing.She loved the dolphins swimming with the Balerion now, piercing the waves like silver javelins, and the flying fish she glimpsed now and then.She even liked sailors, and their songs and stories.Once, on the way to Braavos, as she watched the crew yank down a huge green sail against the wind, she wondered how nice it would be to be a sailor.She told her brother what she thought, but Viserys grabbed her by the hair and wept. "You are of the blood of a real dragon," he yelled at her, "a real dragon, not a stinking fish."

He is a fool, a great fool, Dany thought, and if he had been more sensible and patient, he would be the one sailing west now to take back the throne and not me.Though she knew Viserys was stupid and wicked, sometimes she couldn't help thinking of him--not the cruel and weak victim, but the brother who let her climb into his bed as a child, the one who would always give The boy she told the story of the Seven Kingdoms, the king who pictured her life as a king on the throne. The captain came up to her. "If the Balerion could fly like her dragon namesake, Your Grace," he said in Valyrian with a thick Pentos accent, "we would need no oars, No need to tow, no need to pray for the wind to rise."

"That's right, Captain," Dany replied, smiling.She was glad to have won the man over at short notice.Captain Glory and his master Illyrio?Like Mopatis, he was an old Pentos, and he was as nervous as a girl to use his own boat to build a three-headed dragon—even now, dozens of barrels of seawater were still hanging over the side of the boat, just in case of fire.At first, Glory wanted to put the dragon in a cage, but Dany agreed to appease him, but the pitiful appearance of the dragon made her change her mind quickly and insisted on letting them go free. Captain Glory benefited from this arrangement, and although there was a minor fire, there were suddenly fewer rats on the Balerion than in the days when he sailed under the name of the Cydurian.Her crew, once intrigued and terrified, had developed an oddly intense pride in "their" dragons, and everyone from the captain to the cook boy enjoyed watching the three of them fly... though not as intensely as Dany.

They are my children, she told herself, and if what the witch says is true, they will be my only children. Viserion's scales were fresh milky white, and his horns and wingbones and spine were a dull gold that shone like metal in the sun.Rhaego is made up of emerald green in summer and bronze in autumn.The two of them soared above the fleet, circling round and round, rising higher and higher, competing with each other. Dragons like to attack from above, and Dany already knew that when they climbed between their opponent and the sun, they folded their wings and swooped down screaming.Then they would latch on to each other, forming a tangled ball of scales, tumbling and falling from the sky, claws and tails.When they first fought, she was terrified of hurting each other, which turned out to be nothing more than exercise for them.When they landed on the surface of the sea, the two dragons separated immediately, and raised up again with a hiss and scream, flapping their wings and waving away the steaming sea water.Drogon was flying too, but he was already out of her sight.He often went hunting far away, many miles away from the ship.

Her Drogon was always hungry and grew the fastest.In a year or two, it may be big enough to ride, and I'll be able to cross saltwater oceans without a boat. But that time has not yet come.Besides, Rhaego and Viserion are only the size of puppies. Although Drogon is bigger than them, any dog ​​is heavier than them-because the dragon's body is basically composed of neck, tail and wings, which is much bigger than it looks. Be light.Daenerys?Targaryen had to rely on wood, canvas and wind to get home. While the first two have served her well so far, the fickle wind has turned out to be a traitor.For six days and six nights, the sea was calm, and now it was the seventh day, and there was still no sign of improvement.The only good thing is that two of the ships that Governor Illyrio sent her were galley merchant ships, each with two hundred oars and equipped with strong sailors.The difficulty was the great merchant ship Bellerion, which was as bulky and broad as a fat sow, with a large size and a large sail, but she had no oars and could not move at all when there was no wind.The Vagarhar and the Meraxes let out their ropes and tugged, and she advanced slowly and painfully, all three ships packed with people and goods of all kinds.

"I can't see Drogon," Jorah?Ser Mormont came to stand beside her on the forecastle. "Has he lost his way again?" "We are the ones who got lost, sir. Drogon doesn't like to squirm like a baby, and neither do I." The black dragon was bolder than the other two. He was the first to spread his wings on the water and the first to soar among the ships. Crossing, the first to rush into the floating clouds and disappear without a trace... and also the first to start hunting and killing.Thinking that the flying fish had just broken out of the water, it was tightly wrapped in a flame, and then Drogon swallowed it in one gulp. "How big will he grow?" Dany asked curiously, "Do you know?"

"It is said that in the Seven Kingdoms, some dragons can capture giant sea monsters in the sea." Dani smiled: "Amazing." "It is only a legend, Khaleesi," said the banished knight. "It is said that some wise old dragons live a thousand years." "How long can the dragon live?" She looked up, and saw Viserion passing the merchant ship low, his wings beating slowly, fanning the weak sail. Ser Jorah shrugged. "Dragon's natural lifespan is much longer than a man's, at least that's what the ballad says... The dragons most familiar to the people of the Seven Kingdoms are the Targaryen dragons. They bred for war, and they bred for war. dying in the midst of death. Slaying a dragon is hard, but not impossible."

The whitebeard, the squire, stood beside the carved figurehead at first, leaning on a long hardwood cane with his thin hands, now he turned around, "Balerion, the Black Death, died only during the reign of Jaehaerys I the Arbiter. He lived to be two hundred years old. He was so big that he could swallow a bison whole in one gulp. Your Majesty, dragons will not stop growing, as long as they have food and freedom.” His real name is Astan, because of his white beard, so Nicknamed Whitebeard by Strong Belwas, the nickname was quickly adopted by everyone.Taller than Ser Jorah, though not muscular and muscular, with pale blue eyes and a long beard as smooth as silk, snow white.

"Freedom?" Dany was slightly puzzled, "What do you mean?" "In King's Landing, your ancestors built for their dragons a great dome called 'Dragon's Lair', which still stands on top of Rhaenys Hill, only in ruins. Once upon a time, there were dragons of the royal family Dwelt like a great cave, with iron gates so wide that thirty knights could pass abreast. Even so, the dragons in the lair never grew to the size of their ancestors. Maesters say, this It's the relationship between the wall and the dome." "Hell, if walls kept volume, peasants would look like dwarves, and kings like giants," Ser Jorah said. "It's the opposite. Huts make big people, but castles make dwarfs."

"A man is a man," replied Whitebeard, "and a dragon is a dragon." Ser Jorah snorted contemptuously. "You really take yourself that seriously." The exiled knight didn't like the old man, and it was obvious from the start. "Then please tell us about the knowledge of dragons, how about it?" "No, I don't know much about it. But when I lived in King's Landing, King Aerys sat on the Iron Throne. I was lucky enough to see the dragon skull hanging on the wall of the throne room." "Viserys told me about those skulls," Dany said. "It is said that the Usurper took them down and kept them, because he couldn't stand them looking down on the throne he sat on and stole." She waved Whitebeard closer. "Have you seen my father?" King Aerys II died before his daughter was born. "It was an honor to meet him, Her Majesty." "Is he kind and gentle?" Whitebeard tried his best to hide his feelings, but those feelings were written clearly on his face. "Your Majesty, he is... usually very kind." "Usually?" Dany smiled. "Not always?" "For the opponent in his mind, he will be very cruel." "A wise man is no match for a king," said Dany. "And do you know my brother Rhaegar, too?" "It is said that no one really knows Prince Rhaegar. I have only seen him at tourneys, and heard him play the silverharp." Ser Jorah snorted. "I'm afraid you heard it at the Harvest Feast with thousands of others. You haven't claimed to be his squire yet." "Of course I dare not boast, ser. Prince Rhaegar's first squire was Meath Mooton, followed by Rickard Longmoss. Both were later knighted by him himself, and became his A lifelong partner. In addition, His Royal Highness has many close friends, including the young Earl Clinton, and his old friend Arthur Dayne." "The Sword of Dawn!" Dany cried cheerfully. "Viserys told me about the strange white sword, and he said Ser Arthur was the only knight in the whole land that could match my brother." Whitebeard bowed his head, "I have no right to question Prince Viserys' words." "He is king," Dany corrected. "Uncrowned, but still King of the Seven Kingdoms, Viserys III. Now, what did you mean?" His answer was not what she expected. "Ser Jorah said my brother Rhaegar was the last of the dragons. I thought he must be a very good fighter, didn't I?" "Your Majesty," Whitebeard said, "The Prince of Dragonstone is indeed very powerful, but..." "Say," she urged, "just say it." "Of order." The old man leaned on the hardwood crutches, frowning. "An unrivaled warrior... What a lovely evaluation, but Your Majesty, do you know? Evaluation often does not determine the outcome." "The sword makes the difference," Ser Jorah said gruffly. "And Prince Rhaegar does it." "Yes, ser, he is a martial artist, but... I have seen hundreds of tournaments and far more battles than I would care to see, and no knight, no matter how strong, swift, or precise he may be, He is human and has limits. He can win a tough joust, or lose an easy struggle. A little spot on the grass, or something dirty from dinner, can mean failure. And a sudden A change of wind will give you victory," he glanced at Ser Jorah, "or a token from the lady on his arm. Mormont's face darkened. "Watch your tongue, old man." Arstan had seen the tourney outside Lannisport, when Mormont won the joust with a token from the lady wrapped around his hand, and won the heart of the lady, Lyness of House Hightower. , she was his second wife, noble and beautiful...but she ruined him and abandoned him, and now for him, the memory of her is a kind of torture. "Don't be offended, my good knight," she said, putting her hand on Jorah's arm. "Arstan meant no offense." "Yes, Khaleesi." Ser Jorah's voice was reluctant. Dany turned to her squire. "I don't really know much about Rhaegar except the stories of Viserys, and he was just a boy when my elder brother died. Tell me, what was he like?" The old man considered it for a moment. "He was very capable, first of all. He was firm, composed, faithful, and sincere. There is a famous story about him . . . Ser Jorah no doubt knows." "I want to hear from you." "As you wish," said Whitebeard, "the Prince of Dragonstone was a bit too eager to learn when he was a child. He was able to read and read much earlier than other children, so that people often say that Queen Layla must have swallowed books when she was pregnant with him. And candles. Rhaegar has no interest in children's play, and his wisdom amazes maesters, while his father's knights joke sourly that Saint Baelor is back... until one day, Prince Rhaegar from the scroll Found something, suddenly changed his character. No one knows exactly what happened, only that the boy appeared on the field early one morning, and the knights in armor watched him in surprise and went straight to the coach William ? Ser Darry, said: 'Give me sword and armor, and I must become a warrior.'" "He's really a fighter!" Dany said happily. "Yes," Whitebeard bowed. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. Speaking of warriors, Strong Belwas has risen, and I must serve him." Dany glanced back.The eunuch was climbing onto the deck through the handrail in the middle of the ship. Although he was huge in stature, his movements were extremely agile.The Belwas was a short but broad-chested man, estimated to be well over fifteen stone, with a thick brown belly dotted with pale old scars.He wore baggy shorts, a yellow silk bellyband, and a ridiculously small leather vest studded with iron studs. "Strong Belwas is hungry!" he yelled at everyone, "Strong Belwas wants something to eat!" He turned and found Arstan on the foredeck, "Whitebeard! You get something for Strong Belwas come!" "You go," Dany told the squire.The other bowed again, and then left to serve his master. Ser Jorah watched his figure, his hard, candid face crumpled.Mormont was tall and strong, with a strong jaw and thick shoulders. Although he was not handsome, he was Dany's most sincere friend at the moment. "This old man is embellishing what he said, I hope you will find out," Whitebeard told her after he walked away. "The queen must listen to all men," she reminded him, "the great and the low, the strong and the weak, the noble and the fallen. One voice may deceive you, but many Only people's opinions can get the truth." This is what she read from the book. "Then listen to me, my lord," said the exiled knight, "this white-bearded Arstan is deceiving you! Don't you think he is too old for a squire? Besides, if he really serves a stupid eunuch, How can you be so good at talking?" Weird indeed, Dany had to admit.Strong Belwas was a former slave, raised and trained in the arenas of Meereen.He claims Magister Illyrio sent him to protect her, and she needs protection.The usurper of the Iron Throne used lands and titles to recruit killers, and one assassination took place right under her nose.Now the closer she gets to Westeros, the more likely she will be attacked.On the other hand, before leaving Qarth, the wizard Baiya Puli sent the Regretful Guest to avenge the immortals burned by her in the Temple of Dust. miss.Also, most of the Dothraki are against her.The khals of old Khal Drogo had their own khalasar, and if they found her small army, they would not hesitate to attack, slaughter and enslave her people, and bring Dany herself back to Wes. The Dothraki, the skinny crones who forced her to join the dosh khaleen.Xaro Xhoan Daxos had helped her, but the merchant of Qarth was only after her dragons.There is also Quest of the Shadowlands, the mysterious woman in the red lacquer mask, and her unfathomable counsel.Is she an enemy too?Or a dangerous friend?Dany couldn't tell. Ser Jorah freed me from the poisoner, Arstan Whitebeard held off the manticore for me, and next time it may be Strong Belwas.He was broad, with arms as thick as small tree trunks, and the extremely long arakh he carried with him was sharp enough for a shave—although no beard grew on his smooth brown cheeks.He has a temper like a child, and as a protector, he still lacks many qualities.Thank goodness I have Ser Jorah and bloodriders, and—my dragon.One day the dragons would be her best guards, just as they had guarded Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters three hundred years ago.For now, however, they posed her more danger than protection.There are only three living dragons in the world, and the three belong to her. They are not only miracles and horrors reborn in the world, but also priceless treasures. She was full of thoughts, and suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck, and a strand of silver-gold hair fell down and fluttered on her forehead.Above, the sails moved and roared, and cheers filled the Balerion. "Wind!" cried the sailors, "the wind is coming! The wind!" Dany looked up and saw the great merchant ship's sails billowing and rippling, the rigging taut, beating back and forth, playing the sweet music they'd been waiting for these long six days.Captain Grole rushed astern, shouting orders, and the Pentosian gleefully mounted the mast and set to work.Even Strong Belwas showed his big belly and danced for a while. "Gods bless!" said Dany. "Did you see that, Jorah? We're on the road again!" "Yes," he said, "but where are we going, Her Majesty?" The wind blew all day, starting from the east, followed by wild gusts.The sun went down in a blush.I'm still half a world away from Westeros, Dany reminded herself, but every hour, every minute, I'm getting closer.She tried to imagine what it must have been like seeing the land she was destined to rule for the first time.It's the most beautiful coast in the world, I know it, how could it not be? Late that night, as the Balerion sailed through the darkness, Dany sat cross-legged on her bunk in the captain's cabin—“Even at sea,” Grolet announced, very politely, “the queen still takes precedence over the captain”—Feed the Dragon At that moment, there was a hasty knock on the door. Irri was already asleep under the bunk (three were too crowded, it was Jhiqui's turn to share the soft feather bed with her Khaleesi tonight), but the dutiful maid stood up and walked to the door when she heard a knock.Danielle pulled the sheet up and tucked it under her arm. She was naked, not expecting a visitor at this hour. "Come in," she said.Beneath a flickering lamp stood Ser Jorah. The exiled knight walked in with his head bowed, "Your Majesty, I am sorry to disturb your rest." "I haven't rested yet, sir. Come, come and see." She took a piece of bacon from a small bowl on her lap, and held it up for her dragon to see.All three of them stared hungrily.Rhaegal spread his green wings, stirring the air, and Viserion's neck stretched back and forth following the movement of her hand, like a long milky white snake. "Drogon," Dany said softly, "dracarys," and tossed the meat into the air. Drogon was faster than a cobra.He roared and spewed out flames, bright red, orange and black mixed together, the meat had not fallen, it was already scorched.He snapped his sharp black teeth, and Rhaegal's head flew forward as if to steal the spoils from his brother's mouth, but Drogon swallowed the meat in one gulp, raised his head and screamed, and the smaller green dragon There was only a frustrated hiss. "Come on, Rhaegal," Dany said angrily, patting him on the head. "You got it last time. Don't be too greedy." She smiled at Ser Jorah. "Look, I don't need to cook meat for them over a brazier." "Yes, I see. Dracarys?" At the word, the three-headed dragons turned their heads at the same time, and Viserion spewed out a pale golden flame, making Ser Jorah take a hasty step back.Dany giggled, "Be careful, don't say that word, ser, or they'll burn your beard off. It's High Valyrian, which means dragonfire. I'm training 'em , choose a password that no one will happen to say." Mormont nodded. "Your Majesty," he said, "may I have a few words in private?" "No problem. Yili, please leave first." She put her hand on Jiqi's bare shoulder and shook the other maid awake. "And you too, my dear. Ser Jorah has something to say to me." "Yes, Khaleesi." Jiqi rolled over from the bunk and yawned naked, her thick black hair hanging down.She quickly put on her clothes, left with Eli, and closed the hatch. Dany gave the dragon all the remaining bacon to grab, and then patted the bed beside her. "Sit down, good knight, what do you want to say?" "Three things," Ser Jorah said, "about Strong Belwas, and Arstan Whitebeard, and the man who sent them—Illyrio Mopatis." Why are you here again?Dany pulled the sheet up over her shoulders. "what happened?" "The wizards of Qarth warned you that you were destined to be betrayed three times," the banished knight reminded her, as Viserion and Rhaegal scratched and bit. "Once for blood, once for money, and once for love." Dany could not forget the immortal man's words. "Mirri Maz Duur is the first." "It means there are two more traitors... and now they show up at the same time. Yes, that's what I'm worried about, don't forget that Robert promised that if someone can kill you, you will receive a fiefdom and become a nobleman." Dany leaned forward, grabbed Viserion by the tail, and dragged him away from her green brother.As she moved, the sheet fell from her chest, and she quickly grabbed hold of it to cover herself again. "The Usurper is dead," she said. "His son reigns in his place." Ser Jorah looked up, and his dark eyes met hers. "A faithful son will collect his father's debts. Even blood debts." "This boy Joffrey might try to kill me... if he remembers me. What does it have to do with Belwas or Arstan Whitebeard anyway? The old man doesn't even have a sword, you see have witnessed." "Of course I saw it. I saw how he used that crutch masterfully. Remember when he killed the manticore in Qarth? He could have smashed your throat just as easily." "That's right, but he didn't do it," she pointed out. "It was the stinging manticore that killed me, and he saved my life." "Kalixi, don't you think that Whitebeard and Belwas are in collusion with the killer? This is probably a trap set to gain your trust." She laughed so loudly that Drogon hissed in terror, and Viserion flapped his wings and jumped over the porthole. "What a trap." The exiled knight didn't laugh, "This is Illyrio's ship, Illyrio's captain, and Illyrio's sailors... The strong Belwas and Astan are also his men, not yours." "Magister Illyrio sheltered me. Strong Belwas also said he wept when he heard of my brother's death." "Yes," said Mormont, "but is he weeping for Viserys, or for his own failed plans?" "His plan has not failed! Magister Illyrio has always been a friend of House Targaryen, and he is very rich..." "His money didn't fall from the sky. As far as I know, no one in this world gets rich because of charity. The wizards prophesied that the second betrayal was for money, and nothing but money, Illyrio Mopatis What else is there to care about?" "His life." Across the room, Drogon shifted restlessly, steam rising from his mouth. "Mirri Maz Duur was burned by me for her treachery." "Mirri Maz Duur is your slave, but in Pentos, Illyrio will be your master. Believe me, I know not only you, but also the magister. Calculating, clever no-" "To win the Iron Throne, I need smart people." Ser Jorah snorted. "That wine merchant who poisoned was clever, too. Wise men often have evil intentions." Dany tucked her legs under the sheets involuntarily. "But you will protect me, and my bloodriders." "Only four people? Very well, Khaleesi, it seems you can trust Illyrio Mopatis by insisting on being surrounded by people you don't understand, such as bloated eunuchs and the world's oldest squire. I Just please, take a lesson from Haiya Puli and Xaro Xhoan Daxos." He meant well, Dany reminded herself, and it all started with respect and love for me. "It seems to me that a queen who trusts no one is as foolish as a queen who trusts all. I understand that every admission is a risk, but how can you win the Seven Kingdoms without risking? An exiled knight and three Dothraki bloodriders to conquer Westeros?" He stubbornly clenched his jaw, "I don't deny that your path requires adventure, but if you encounter liars or conspirators and accept them, the ending will be the same as your brother's." His stubbornness irritated her.He also treated me like a child. "Strong Belwas has to depend on others to arrange his breakfast, what a schemer! And did Arstan Whitebeard ever lie?" "He's pretending! Look at him talking recklessly today, how can he look like a servant?" "I ordered him to say it straight. I want to know my brother." "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, he is not the only one who knows your eldest brother. Well, in Westeros, the captain of the Kingsguard has a seat in the imperial council, and serves the king not only with force, but also with wisdom. You say I am The chief knight of the Queen's Iron Guard, then I beg you, listen to me carefully, I have a plan." "Plan? Tell me quickly." "Illyrio? Mopatis wants you to go back to Pentos and live under his roof. Very well, go as you please...but the time is up to you, and you are not alone. Let us see who he is How loyal and obedient. Please order Captain Glory to change the course and go to Slaver Bay." Dany was a little disturbed. The stories about the human flesh markets in the slave cities of Yunkai, Meereen, and Astapor were frightening. "What am I going to do in Slaver's Bay?" "Recruit an army," Ser Jorah said. "Since you like Strong Belwas, you could buy a few hundred more from the arenas in Meereen... but I suggest sailing to Astapor, Tabo, you can buy the Unsullied." "Slaves with spiked bronze helmets?" Dany had seen the Unsullied in the Free Cities. They often served as guards for governors, lords, and consuls. "What do I want them for? The Unsullied don't know how to ride. Usually still fat." "The Unsullied you have seen in Pentos or Myr are guards, not at all good. They have nothing to do, and eunuchs tend to get fat, because food is their only remaining desire. Your Majesty, through a few elders Judging all the Unsullied by the servants of his family is like judging all the squires by the white-bearded Astan. By the way, have you heard the story of the three thousand warriors defending Qohor?" "Never heard of that," Dany said as the sheet slipped from her shoulders and she pulled it back into place. "More than four hundred years ago the Dothraki first appeared from the east on horseback, looting and burning every town along the way. The khal who led them was called Temer, and his khalasar was not as big as Drogo's, but he was not small either. , there are at least 50,000 people, half of them are warriors with braided bells." "When the Kohor people heard the news of his coming, they set about strengthening the city wall, doubling the number of soldiers, and hired two mercenary regiments—the Bright Flag regiment and the Second Son regiment. As the situation got worse and worse , They rushed to buy three thousand Unsullied from Astapor, but it was almost too late. The Unsullied marched a long distance to Qohor, and they could see the smoke and dust from a distance, and hear the clamor of battle." "By the time they arrived at the city, the sun had already set. Crows and wild wolves were enjoying the remains of the Kohor heavy cavalry, while the Bright Banners and the Second Sons fled early. Once the mercenaries faced the disparity in strength and weakness, there was no hope." That's what happens when it's like that. Night fell and the Dothraki didn't fight any more, they retreated to camp and drank and danced and reveled all night, ready to storm the gates the next day and rape and plunder as much as they wanted." "But at dawn, when Temer and his bloodriders led the khalasar out of the camp, they found three thousand Unsullied standing in formation before the city gate, flying the banner of the black goat of Qhorhor. If you know the tactics of the Dothraki, you will understand that they will not take this small team seriously. The formation is not wide, and it is easy to outflank; people are on foot, and they will be trampled by cavalry." "So the Dothraki struck, and the Unsullied gripped their shields and held their spears low, and remained motionless. They had no fear in the face of the deadly charge of twenty thousand bell-ringing Howler warriors." "Eighteen times the Dothraki charged, but before the shield and spear they crumbled like waves on a rock. Three times Temer Khal sent out mounted archers, shooting round and round the opponent, raining bows and arrows on the These three thousand warriors, but the Unsullied just held up their shields and put them over their heads, refusing to budge. In the end, they were down to six hundred men...but more than twelve thousand Dothraki warriors fell on the battlefield on Khal Temer, his three bloodriders, all his kor and all his sons. Three days later in the morning Khal New led the survivors in solemn procession to the gates, one by one, Each man cut off the braid of his hair and threw it at the feet of the three thousand warriors." "From that day on, Qohor's garrison consisted entirely of Unsullied, each with a braid of human hair hanging from the spear he carried." "This is what you will find in Astapor, Your Majesty, please go ashore there, and after completing the transaction, continue to Pentos by land. Yes, it will take a lot of time...but in the future, when you When you dine with Magister Illyrio, you will have a thousand swords at your back, not just four." He did give me wisdom, Dany thought, but... "How can I buy a thousand slave fighters? All I have left is a crown from the Tourmaline Brotherhood." "The true dragon means a great miracle of rebirth to the people of Astapor and to the people of Qarth. Presumably the slave traders will give you a lot of gifts like the giant merchants of Qarth. If it is not enough... Have you forgotten? There are not only your Dothraki and their horses on these three ships, but also a large number of goods purchased from Qarth. I checked the cargo hold and saw countless silk, tiger skin, amber, emerald carvings , saffron, myrrh... slaves are cheap, Your Majesty, but tiger skins are expensive." "Those are Illyrio's things," she protested. "And Illyrio is a friend of House Targaryen." "Then he shouldn't steal his goods." "What good is a rich friend if he won't pay, Her Majesty? If Magister Illyrio refuses you, it will only prove that he is nothing more than Xaro Xhoan Daxos with a quadruple jaw. If If he sincerely supports you, he will not be reluctant to part with the three shipments, think about it, what better use can his tiger skin have than buying an army for you?" Yes Yes.Dany was excited. "But the journey is long and dangerous..." "Going by sea is also dangerous. Pirate ships prowl the southern lanes, and the sea of ​​smoke north of Valyria is haunted by devils. The next storm may wreck our ship, and the giant krakens of the summer sea may drag merchant ships into At the bottom of the sea... or the fleet is stalled again because of the lack of wind, dying of thirst while waiting. Marching on land is dangerous, Your Majesty, but the sea is not safer." "What if Captain Grole refuses? Arstan, Strong Belwas, what will they do?" Ser Jorah stood up. "Perhaps it is time for you to find out for yourself." "Yes," she decided, "yes!" Dany threw back the sheet and jumped up from the bunk. "I'm going to the captain at once and order him to sail for Astapor." She stooped to open the box and grabbed the top coat and a pair of loose silk trousers. “把我的勋章腰带给我，”她一边命令乔拉，一边把纱丝长裤拉过臀部，“还有我的背心——”她转身道。 乔拉爵士搂住了她。 “噢，”她只来得及说出这一个字，便被他抱紧，两对唇压在一起。他浑身上下散发出汗、盐和皮革的味道。他将她紧紧压向自己，短上衣的铁扣嵌入她赤裸的乳房。他用一只手抓住她的肩膀，另一只手顺着她的脊椎滑至细小的后腰。她的嘴不由自主地张开来，任他的舌头伸入探索。他的胡子虽然扎人，她心想，但嘴里很甜美。除了嘴角的长髯，多斯拉克人不留络腮胡，而在此之前，只有卓耿卡奥吻过她。他不能这么做，我是他的女王，不是他的女人。 长长的一吻，丹妮说不准究竟有多久。结束后，乔拉爵士放开她，她快速回退一步。“你……你不该……” “我不该等这么久，”他替她说完，“早在魁尔斯，我就该吻你，不，在枯骨之城，在红土荒原，我就该吻你，每日每夜，我都该吻你。你那么美丽温柔，天生就是用来亲吻的尤物。”他的眼睛看着她的乳房。 丹妮在乳头出卖自己之前用手盖住，“我……你这是逾越！我是你的女王。” “您是我的女王，”他说，“也是我这辈子见过最勇敢、最甜蜜和最美丽的女人。丹妮莉丝——” "His Majesty!" “陛下，”他让步了，“龙有三个头，记得这句话吧？从尘埃之殿中听来之后，你一直深感疑惑。好吧，我告诉你：从前有贝勒里恩，米拉西斯和瓦格哈尔三条巨龙，分别由伊耿，雷妮丝和维桑尼亚骑乘。坦格利安家族的纹章是三头龙——实际上，是三条龙，三个骑手。” “我想也是，”丹妮说，“可我的哥哥们都死了。” “雷妮丝和维桑尼亚不仅是伊耿的妹妹，还是他的妻子。你没了哥哥，但可以有丈夫。让我明确地告诉你，丹妮莉丝，在这个世界上再没有人及得上我对你一半的真诚。”