Chapter Text
Aegon did not trust Naharis but as the man who was supposed to have brought the message, he was also the one who was required to return with the sought Queen of Meereen. The people of Meereen had heard their queen had been murdered in Westeros, so they were amazed as they watched a silk wrapped woman with silver hair escaping her wrapping ride through the streets.
They could not see her face, but Commander Naharis rode beside her, so the rumours of her death must be wrong. However, only one Unsullied and no Dothraki, nor Freed Slaves rode with her, they questioned if this was their queen. On her other side a woman dressed in the light flowing clothes of their invaders in blue, but with gold armour inserts engraved with ferocious Dragons and fire-red hair. Strange foreign soldiers in metal encasing armour trailed the queen’s horse, on horses greater than the people had seen. The Dothraki steeds were built for speed, these were built for power, wide chests and thick legs.
At the rear of the procession a man in lighter armour, riding a horse with the build of the Dothraki horses but the height of the foreigners steeds, he wore black armour with the helm of a wolf. Beside him a Lion in gold. The warrior kept a close eye on the head of the procession for the Queen must be protected.
Aegon was wary with only Arthur and an unknown but loyal knight at the front to protect the most precious person in the city to him, of course she had Greyworm as well and he could be trusted with his queen’s protection but Aegon still did not trust the man completely. He quickly looked back toward the wharf where their ship was moored, hoping Evelyn, Rafe and Hybri could handle the tiny terror that was his daughter.
Lyancy had not understood why she could not accompany her parents. Lion and Arthur were there and if she went then Rafe could protect her mother too. Father said he wanted her to be safe; she thought she would be, then Mother explained Father would be at the back and Lyancy could not be with her because Monster Man was to be beside her and the Worm Man would be closer to her than Father. So Lyancy agreed to stay on the ship to protect Evelyn for Lion.
In the Grace’s Pyramid the Blue Grace stopped her lesson and looked toward the bay. War had come to Meereen and the Red Sultan was about to meet him. Would War present himself as the God he was or would he stay muted? She guessed he would be muted. Her brow creased as she sensed a disturbance, one others may not concern themselves with, but she was very concerned for it was a matter close to her heart.
She told one of her priestesses to attend the Sultan, for War was in Essos and the Gods watched with held breaths. The woman scurried away as if her life depended upon it. She shook her head, why was everyone so fearful of The Gods? In truth they were the least likely beings to smite you arbitrarily, most had no concern for the lives of men. The Grace set herself a note within her own head, she should check on The Seven, see if any but The Stranger still survived. She hoped the Maid did for she had always liked her.
She had also liked The Warrior, but The Smith, Crone, Mother and Father could just dissolve like dust, she had no love for them, and she quite literally had love for everyone. Mainly, it was her romantic nature that turned her off these four of The Seven. Once the Maid had developed a … crush, no she should use the appropriate term, infatuation for the Warrior and the other four had mocked the girl. The Stranger stayed right out of it, which was wise, no one mocked Love.
Anyway, this was a thousand, thousand years ago and she should be over it but she was proud to say like her parents she had the ability to hold a grudge, though her father did put rivalry aside far more than her mother ever could. She smiled to herself but then frowned as she was reminded of the disturbance. The Dragon Queen’s procession must be passing before her pyramid.
The Grace stood and went to look down upon the procession as it passed. The queen at the head and the king at the rear, no little princess in sight. She chuckled as she imagined how large Lyancy’s pout must be to have lost that argument, and the covert little plans the princess would be making to rectify the situation for next time. “Meereen has no idea how lucky they are.” With those words she turned back to her acolytes to resume the lesson.
In his pyramid that had been Daenerys Targaryen’s pyramid the sultan held a meeting with Rya of the Shifting Faces. “She has landed, the woman you assured me was dead. With men in steel plate armour. Obviously Westerosi knights. What do you say Rya?”
“She is false, she covers her face, she is not Daenerys, the Mother of Dragons is dead.”
“I do not believe you. I do not believe your mind is stable. I have had complaints about you harassing folks in the streets and in this pyramid calling them strange names and accusing them of strange crimes. Threatening innocents. I will not have such a person here when I speak to the Queen, whether she be true or false, you are a liability.”
“Someone is trying to …” Arya was being set up, by who she was not sure but someone was out to discredit her and playing games with her.
“No one knows you to care to attack you, Rya. You just are not that important in Essos. Now get out before my guest arrives.”
Daenerys was led into her own throne room, upon the seat sat a dark man, with black intelligent eyes, clothed in red. The emissary who had threatened her stood to his right, with a smirk upon her features.
“You were wise to come.” The Emissary spoke first, as her sultan stared down at the queen, who had removed the wrap which covered her beautiful face. Daenerys could see he thought her beautiful, but he did not seem moved by her. “We were about to bring out, the women of Meereen and start our ministrations.” Daenerys’ fury flared which showed in her amethyst eyes.
Aegon waiting at the back said nothing but did notice a tightening to the sultan’s eyes, he did not know what his emissary was speaking of. Maybe the Sultan was not their problem. The king walked forward to touch his queen’s arm and whisper in her ear.
“Do not get enflamed.” He had his usual cooling effect on his beloved and she cooled immediately. Just to be sure, she and his child did not incinerate people, he stayed close to her shoulder when he stepped back.
“We thank you Commander Naharis for bring your queen to negotiate with us.” The man’s voice was smooth and cultured, he even sounded educated.
Daario opened his mouth to answer then stopped as nothing came out. “Commander Naharis has lost his ability to speak, along with his tongue.” Daenerys explained frostily.
“You removed his tongue. Why?” Came a light and sweet voice from the side of the room and every eye turned to a very heavily pregnant woman dressed in gold and pink silks. She had a wide face, but she was a beauty, and she was very petite.
“I did not. His tongue was split because he told false words to and threatened my husband.”
“Husband?” The woman asked with a worried tone. Daenerys thought she should be concerned for her own husband if he tried to push the Dragon Queen joining his harem.
“Yes.”
“Who is your husband?” The small pink woman moved to stand by her husband’s side and gaze at him with worry. She had told Huy to not tempt the Dragon Queen for what if she had found what she searched for in Westeros. War. What if Daenerys Targaryen had found War?
“Ashmara, we have not time for this.” The Emissary said harshly to the small woman. “Go back to your birthing chamber and wait.” Aegon noticed the flash of anger in the sultan’s eyes as the petite woman, nodded as if struck and waddled out, with her head downcast.
“Your Sellsword Commander did not mention you had a husband. When he still had a tongue.” The Sultan said as he stared down the stairs at the queen who had sat this chair before him. Even Daenerys could see the man’s eyes follow the little pink woman with concern, maybe he didn’t deserve to die straight away.
“With all respect I left him here to govern the city, he knew nothing of anything after I set sail.” Daenerys was feeling braver than she would be facing this man considering he had threatened through his emissary to kill her and her child. Aegon was only two steps away, and what she felt apprehensive about having no army, he negated with his presence.
“So, it seems.” Huy looked at the sellsword who had given bad information and made false promises. He glanced at his emissary before meeting Daenerys’ eyes again. She was an exquisite woman, but she said she was married again. Who would he need have killed? Still, he wanted to contemplate this news. He also wished to check on his tiny first wife. “You have travelled far, we are not terrible hosts, we will have rooms made for your men and yourself. Meet again when you are not weary.” He saw the rounded belly the Dragon Queen was obfuscating. She had been wed awhile if she was this round.
The large guards of the Sultan escorted the Dragon party out, and Huy went to Ashmara. With Deria following on his heel. Once they were out of the hearing of the Dragon Queen, he spun on the woman.
“You ever speak to Ashmara like that again and I will have you flogged! She is my First Wife; you are many, many past that. Return to your place.” Deria did not understand why Huy put such importance on Ashmara, she had no skills, her status and standing was not better than some of her fellow wives.
Most men would have replaced Ashmara as soon as a better option arrived in his harem. Huy, however. Huy kept her as First Wife and would not demote her, even her inability to produce an heir from her womb did not change him or her position. Deria knew Huy was not making idle threats to her, he had sent another wife back to her father with a note of derision, knowing her father would whip her, if not kill her for the shame of being returned. Deria was not elevated enough to be sent back, she would bleed and for Ashmara Huy may just kill her.
Deria had little to worry about if she stayed in line and so long as the Dragon Queen did not speak of the threat she gave her. Huy would execute her in the streets for daring to threaten the death of children; Huy considered children sacred – perhaps the only way he was faithful to The Gods. His House kept no children as slaves and even those born to his slaves he considered free. All children were born free.
It was a strange circumstance that the children of slaves wandered The Sultan’s House as free, as if born to his servants instead. Many of his servants were the grown children of his House’s slaves, for as soon as his Father’s last breath left his body, the young Huy had freed the children of every one of his House’s slaves and enlisted those near adulthood to be servants paid for their service. Many of his fellows had laughed at his ways but his armies had vanquished theirs, always. It seemed The Gods blessed him for his protection of the young.
With the freedom to ‘rest’ the queen sent Daario Naharis back to the ship with Greyworm as his guard. She did not know of their secret alliance, but she knew Greyworm would not be traitorous. Also, she wanted her little girl closer so she sent a winter knight to fetch her and their remaining friends. Daenerys used her previous knowledge of the pyramid to secure her daughter’s arrival without the knowledge of the reigning sultan; the people of Meereen and her pyramid recalled the Breaker of Chains and aided her in her wish.
Aegon was not sure Lyancy should be so close to their unknown enemy; Daenerys however was in control here, it was her venture so he just kept quiet and set himself to be more watchful. He sent the general guards and knights to watch the men he did not trust, he would prefer to have less protectors so he could have more movement freedom if he needed to pull his steel.
Arthur and Geron regularly reported back with a nod to confirm all was secure. Kasmira sat quietly beside Daenerys, and he had no fear of her speed at defending his queen as even insects were not allowed within breath of the pregnant queen. A blade materialised first in Kasmira’s hand to fall with said insect on its tip in less than a second. Lyancy ran to check every blade and fetch it back to Kasmira asking repeatedly why this gnat had to die.
“Insects can bite and some have poison or are just sickly causing you to fall sickly we do not want your mother to fall sickly to save a bug and its life.” Was the answer given as if the first rendition every time Lyancy appeared at Kasmira’s knee with her returned blade.
“Was this one a sick maker?” Was the reply each time and to Kasmira’s credit she always examined the creature on the blade and after consideration she would answer in the negative. Lyancy would then tell Daenerys she was safe this wasn’t a sick bug, to which the queen would smile and nod. The dance began again with every insect suicidal enough to enter the room.
When Evelyn inquired of her queen why she humoured the child so kindly when so many other women would tire of the game and dismiss the child. Daenerys asked if Evelyn would dismiss Lyancy, she was told ‘no, never our sweet princess’. She then went on to explain in this very bay she had nearly died by a manticore, if Sir Barristan had not done as Kasmira was and killed it with a dagger.
“Manicorns very bad.” Lyancy said and everyone smiled at her as she played with Obly.
“What do you know about manticores, my princess?” Rafe asked the tiny girl, the creature was an insect indigenous to Essos not Westeros.
“No know much.” She looked at the lord. “Nasty lion with scorpion tail and sometimes wings.” She told Obly. “Nasty, no try make friends with him.” She had Obly shake his head to say he agreed. “Good.” Many of the adults looked shocked at the child as they had only heard of the insectoids of Essos.
“Those manticores no longer exist, princess.” Geron assured her and her stuffed Dragon.
“Did you kill them all?” She asked her Lion knight. Manicorns were bad creatures it would be like Lion to kill them all so they did not hurt anybody.
“And other brave souls.” Geron nodded as he placed a hand on her tiny shoulder.
“Lion and prob-a-baby Father killed all those nasty manicorns, Obly.” The little girl held the cloth dragon to her ear and started nodding in agreement with her friend. “Obly says thank you.”
Huy entered his First Wife’s chamber’s to see her seated demurely on a cushioned couch staring into the middle distance a frown on her beautiful face. The Sultan walked forward to kneel at his wife’s feet, the only time he kneeled in his life was at Ashmara’s feet, for she was the only being he honoured above himself. He took her hands in his and kissed them, bringing her focus onto him as she came back into the room and out of her own musings.
“I am sorry I shamed you husband before the Dragon Queen.” Her frown was heartbreaking to him. Huy loved this woman more than anything in this world. Had always loved her, since they were small children. The reason he had pushed to achieve so much in his life and in the world was to earn her hand.
“You did not shame me.” She never could. Every day Huy woke and set out to be worthy of the girl he loved and sometimes he may do questionable acts to achieve his greatness and keep his position but he did them to never lose Ashmara. “Deria should never have spoken to you so.”
“She was right I was being… Embarrassing.”
“Never.” He smile with great love at the woman for whom he felt it.
“She is wed. What if she found War?”
“I have always honoured War, he will not dishonour me. Mayhaps she found a Dragon in the West to be her mate. You said a great Dragon would rise in the West mayhaps she simply found her equal. We knew it would never have been me.”
“Did we know that?” Ashmara gazed at her husband with question. If Huy knew Daenerys Stormborn was not meant to be his wife why had he pursued the woman for his harem?
“We did. For I was made by Love herself to only love you.”
“Now you follow Love?” Huy jibed her often about her adherence to the worship of The Gods and now he proclaimed reverence for Love, was he jibing her again? He grinned as if he was but he knew better than to mock the Gods.
“I have to. She gave me you. But only her and War, people might believe me weak if I pander to too many Gods.” Huy grinned at his wife like the boy he had been when he wed her and she smiled at him full of love as she had when she had been a girl becoming his bride.
A little mopped haired boy watched the Always Winter royal family sleep with their guards and attendants around them. He nodded as if in agreement to the way the rooms and protections were set and wandered through the walls until he came to a girl with her hair shorn close to her skull, and her eyes set on the door of her adversary.
“Why do you still shave your hair?” He touched her head, being the same height as her when she sat cross-legged on the tiles.
“I have no ego to have long tresses to entice the men. My life is sworn in service to you, Death.”
He sat down and crossed his legs next to her. “Keep Arya away from Aegon and his family, do not allow the traitor to know Daenerys draws breath. I face the Enemy’s general as we speak and Arya will be judged for her betrayal, then I will address her betrayal in other worlds after I have passed judgement there.”
“What is her fate there?”
“She will live.” His eyes remained forward but he felt her head snap to look at him with disappointment, she felt it no punishment. “She will be no one forevermore, never remembered from one moment to the next, never truly seen. Dead to all she knew, knows, meets and will ever know or meet. No one will ever recall her but she will remember all of them clearly and know her fate intimately and how hollow she chose her fate to be.” The Waif nodded and she relaxed, do not cheat Death for you will always lose.
“As it should be.”
“As it should be, so it is.” The boy nodded. “Now I am awake, I have more power to gift you as a faithful warrior. No longer are you confined to this world, you may take your prey to any world to exact her punishment for breaking her oath, and I give you leave to inform others of her sin of Aiding in the Enslavement of Others. Your Order was formed to punish Slavers and free the Enslaved she uses my gifts to your Order to aid Slavers, for that alone she must suffer.”
“You will not pass final judgement on her and have it done?” The child rose and moved to stand before the girl, he stared at her with luminous blue eyes and aged before her eyes to a man fully grown.
“Enslavement is a torture. To inflict it upon another deserves its own torture. I am War and I know many tortures, I have always hated to inflict them myself but I can abide them when it is a just punishment. Arya Stark is not the hero she imagines herself to be, she must see. You shall show her, her sin and herself. She imagines herself greater than Death, let her see she is not my equal.”
“I will keep her away from the Targaryens.” The Waif bent her head in respect. After a moment she uncharacteristically began to chuckle. ‘A Blackfyre protecting Targaryens who would have imagined.”
“We are all one blood.” Death said as he walked away. “Your service will be honoured, Visenya.”