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Post by pontifex on Jul 1, 2020 17:56:26 GMT -5
"A day of many comings, and many goings it would see, Ser Barristan." Tyrion retorted. "I may be half drowned and half starved, but I am here. Is there any wine about, perchance? Slaughtering Ghiscari is such thirsty work, and I offer my best counsel with something fermented in my hand."
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Post by oznerol on Jul 1, 2020 18:13:52 GMT -5
The queen strode into the chamber, quick of feet, a whip in her graceful hand. The bells rang as she moved, her hair now bearing more than many bloodriders. She stands in the threshold, her naked breasts exposed without a hint of modesty. Dany looks at each of them, one by one, her amethyst eyes resting but a moment in every man present. She takes a seat in the throne, raising the steps to her rightful place.
"Ser Barristan, my Hand, explain what unfolded during my absence"
The Targaryen looks sideways to the dwarf and Mormont, with a frown that didn't diminish her beauty.
"Ser Jorah will then explain what he does in my city and why he's with a half-man, but, he can and shall wait, my Hand goes first"
She gestured as for the veteran knight to speak, back straight in the throne. A flock of servants appeared from every corner, bringing refreshments and meals that the queen refused, only taking a glass of water cooled with ice, because the dust raised by her khalasar had dried her throat. Leathern wings flapped and a shadow covered the windows, with a shriek Drogon joined her brothers in the skies, the dragons welcoming each other and dancing in the sky.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 1, 2020 18:39:17 GMT -5
Barristan the Bold effortlessly dropped to one knee, for despite his age he was still nimble and strong, his joints immune to the withering passage of years. His armour of burnished white had been polished and wiped clean from the blood and gore of yesterday. His cloak had been swapped for a fresh garment, clasped to his neck by a silver hand.
”Your Grace. We fought the Yunkai and the Ghiscari outside the city, destroyed their catapults and drove them off with the aid of new allies. The Second Sons and the Windblown turned their banners to us, and Lord Victarion of the Iron Fleet arrived to lend you his aid.”
The Hand paused, looking for a long time at the Iron Captain. He gingerly cleared his throat.
”Lord Victarion mounted Viserion, your Grace. He rode her during the battle, and drove the Ghiscari from the gates.”
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Post by oznerol on Jul 1, 2020 18:45:11 GMT -5
"They shall bend the knee or burn"
Said the queen, chin high.
"I'm tired of playing circles around these Ghiscari. I went East and regained freedom with my own hands when they tried to make me a dosh khaleen. I burned the arrogant khals and claimed their khalasars: now I have scores of bloodriders and thousands of men and horses"
She gestured to the world outside, where the Dothraki were galloping, displaying their strenght before the walls.
"These pitiful masters shall not bother me anymore. Send word to New Ghis and Yunkai, whoever is left in their rotted cities. I mount a dragon, like Aegon did, they bend the knee or they all burn..."
Dany then looked genuinely surprised.
"You? You mounted my child? Come hither, Lord of the Iron Fleet"
She leans forward on the throne, her eyes bright.
The dragon has three heads.
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jul 1, 2020 18:47:22 GMT -5
Victarion turned about as the two newcomers were led into the room. How many Westerosi have found their way to this place? He put the thought aside, however, as the queen swept into the room. She addressed Ser Selmy first, as was likely proper, given his role as her Hand. When he was addressed, he straightened his back and offered the queen a bow before moving closer.
"Yes Your Grace, my men and I had come to this land to offer you aid and... make other offers. We arrived in the midst of a battle, and lent what aid we could, but when the battle turned against your men and my own, and it seemed most dire, I resorted to sounding a horn which was said to come from Old Valyria. Your... son... Viserion descended to my side and allowed me to take to the skies upon his back and drive the invaders from your gates, while my men secured the field and the bay." His speaking was slightly rushed now, no great statesmen, he could sense what he had come for so close to hand it was hard not to dash to the dungeons and strike down her husband. A little longer now.
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Post by oznerol on Jul 1, 2020 18:59:36 GMT -5
"A horn... of Valyria..."
She looked at the man with piqued interest.
"If he allowed you... dragons don't trust mere men, only a few I've seen that could ever get close"
The queen looked juvenile, like the girl she was, fascinated by seeing another man who could ride one of her winged offspring. But she regained composure sipping cold water.
"Which offers? Speak, I owe to you and ser Barristan the fact I still have a city to call mine"
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Post by pontifex on Jul 1, 2020 19:07:59 GMT -5
Tyrion likewise fell to one knee, rather hard however. "Seven hells" he muttered as he gleaned a glass of something off of some tray as the serving wenches flooded the hall. So some Ironborn had mounted a dragon, and that is what he had seen. "How interesting." He thought to himself, as his own imagination took flight. With wings, he would no longer be a half man, a stunted dwarf with no respect or indeed honor. Who would be able to deny him? He had dreamed of it since he was a boy. He remembered his own words 'it wouldn't need to be a big dragon' he remember his uncle Gerion bouncing him on one knee, laughing with him. "But I have no horn," He thought to himself once more. "only an axe, a bruised knee, and a glass of wine." Besides, Rhaegal remained unmounted, of all the dragons. Rhaegal. Named for the Prince his father had helped destroy. Tyrion reflected upon the cruelty of fate, and rubbed the scar where his nose had been. His sandy blonde hair has grown wild, but not wild enough to cover his scars, his deformities, his shame.
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jul 1, 2020 20:16:19 GMT -5
"I had thought to bring the offer of myself in marriage. It would bring along with it my axe at your side, and my men to defend you in reclaiming your birthright." Victarion stood tall and proud, a warrior born and bred, as he presented himself to the queen, "I would make that offer still, though I have heard that you have a husband for the moment, I have also heard that he joined traitors to your cause. I would offer my services in removing him as well."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 1, 2020 22:45:52 GMT -5
The Ironborn had thought to wait until their captain's return to deal with the ships, but when the ship began to pull forward with the flag of parley, Ralf the Limper, who had been left with the the fleet, raised their own flag and allowed the ship to close, curious to see who might be approaching. Horys flagship sailed within shouting distance. Hail, Ironborn!He shouts from the deck of the Bitter Wench. I seek the Queen of Dragons and her loyalists! I come on behalf of the Lord of the Waters, Aurane of the House Velaryon!
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Post by oznerol on Jul 2, 2020 2:45:43 GMT -5
"I had thought to bring the offer of myself in marriage. It would bring along with it my axe at your side, and my men to defend you in reclaiming your birthright." Victarion stood tall and proud, a warrior born and bred, as he presented himself to the queen, "I would make that offer still, though I have heard that you have a husband for the moment, I have also heard that he joined traitors to your cause. I would offer my services in removing him as well." But this one was of Westerosi origins and no whelp he was, but a man grown, fierce and powerful, every inch a warrior, a lord he brought ships and men. And he had claimed one of her children, that must mean something. He would be useful for the time being, granting her support within the kingdoms; she didn't fool herself like Viserys, who claimed dozens of lords would flock to his banner as soon as he stepped into the Seven Kingdoms. He's dead for a reason. "You may make my husband a head shorter for betraying me and plotting my death. He's hereby condemned and found guilty of high treason"She waved a hand. The queen had been betrayed many times, but the prophecies were done and fulfilled, her womb would quicken again and she had a duty towards her own blood and kingdom. Victarion was a powerful man and he would make a fine husband and father for a brood of dragons. "I shall not miss him. When the deed is done, I will spouse you and take you as my king: you shall pledge swords and vassals and ships to my cause, Lord Victarion. The Kraken and the Dragon shall mingle as one"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 2, 2020 9:23:59 GMT -5
"Our prince Quentyn died freeing your dragons, your Grace. We would honour him by returning with his body to Dorne."
Said Gerris Drinkwater, who was in the tattered garb of sellsword. Ser Barristan remained aloof. Victarion had swung the battle for them, for certain, but whether the Ironborn brute would make an able spouse for the Queen of Westeros was another question entirely.
"What is your command, Your Grace? The Ghiscari still wait outside the city, and the fleets of Volantis will soon arrive in the bay."
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Post by oznerol on Jul 2, 2020 11:22:14 GMT -5
"Our prince Quentyn died freeing your dragons, your Grace. We would honour him by returning with his body to Dorne." Said Gerris Drinkwater, who was in the tattered garb of sellsword. Ser Barristan remained aloof. Victarion had swung the battle for them, for certain, but whether the Ironborn brute would make an able spouse for the Queen of Westeros was another question entirely. "What is your command, Your Grace? The Ghiscari still wait outside the city, and the fleets of Volantis will soon arrive in the bay."She said, somber. Quentin would have made a far better husband than any other, he was a good man and devoted, she could even have enjoyed his company, but he died foolishly, no man can tame a dragon, unless he's of the blood of Valyria or... is of a different mettle, it seemed. "Send word to them. Either they come to parlay and offer me a surrender or I will unleash the Dothraki and my dragons both on their sorry heads"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 2, 2020 11:45:16 GMT -5
"Our duty is to to our Prince, your grace. We are honour bound to bring his bones back to his father."
Drinkwater answered, looking solemn but determined.
"But our swords are yours until the bay is cleared for our journey home."
Yronwood interjected, after deciding it wouldn't be best to offend the Queen of Dragons under her own roof. Gerris looked at him gratefully.
"I will send a rider out at once."
Barristan motioned to one of his newly made knights who promptly scurried away.
"The Ghiscari are proud men, I do not think they will bend their knees so easily, Your Grace. To let the Ghiscari leave in peace and amity and to pursue no further alliances against you may be the wisest course."
Ser Selmy was no statesman, but he'd spent a lifetime at the side of kings and lords. None were so humble as to bend their knees unless it was the only course that remained.
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Post by oznerol on Jul 2, 2020 12:10:52 GMT -5
"Good, knights are what I need. Ser Barristan has been squiring freed slaves and boys of proven prowess, but I need more if I'm to conquer the Seven Kingdoms"
She looks at the Dornishmen.
"I welcome you both into my service"
Then, back at her hand.
"I offered them fair deals and mercy, no longer, they're to pay reparations for the damage they caused and leave my kingdom at once, to remain within their borders. They're lucky I have a realm to conquer, else I'd go to their city and take it"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 2, 2020 20:46:07 GMT -5
”As you say, Your Grace.”
Ser Selmy knew when his advice would not be heeded, and chose silence. The messenger would soon bring back the terms of the Ghiscari regardless.
”I assume we are to make preparations to leave the city. That begs the question as to who Meereen is left under, and what will be left to defend the city from the inevitable return of the slavers.”
It was all well and good to conquer and then leave, but a good ruler was judged on what they left behind after they were gone.
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