Daenerys Targareyn “Qarth, The Bear & The Cub” Part 4, Read part 3 here

After breaking my fast with Ser Jorah, I asked him to to help the men of the camp repair the front gate’s (we could be here for many moon’s and I could not risk our safety). ~I was so worried about Jhogo, he had been gone the longest, I thought surely he perished.~. While outside, lifting old stepping stone’s that covered healthy soil, might be we could grow something other than devil grass. I heard Ser Jorah calling my name “Khalessi, come quickly” ~Had someone died? Were we under attack? I was afraid to find out~. Rushing to the highest point on the crumbling outer wall, I could see Jhogo approaching, I screamed Qoy Qoyi (Blood of my Blood).Jhogo had retuned, but he was not alone. He brought with him three curious looking companions, riding atop large animals, with humps on their backs ~I had never seen animals like this, they dwarfed any stallion I could think of~.

“The wanted to see the mother of dragons” said Jhogo. ~They want to see dragons, you mean~ Well look all you like, I replied. But please tell me your names? The blue lipped man was Pyat Pree (a warlock),he spoke in a broken Dothraki, the bald man was more colorful with jewels in his nose and ears, his name was Xaro Xhoan Daxos he spoke perfect Valyrian (he belonged to “the Thirteen” and was the merchant “prince” of Quarth), a female also traveled with them whose name was Quaithe (of the Shadow)she wore a wooden mask and spoke in the Common Tongue of my country.

Quarth, from the outside was surrounded in a great golden wall trimmed in ebony and marble, with ornate carvings depicting everything from life and death to pleasure and pain ~looking at such carvings made my heart race and my cheeks flush~. I heard the sounds of drums and horns as we approached the city walls. Men filed out from the city to welcome us, riding upon those ugly hump backed animals ~Pyat Pree called them “camels”~. These camel riding men, were part of the Quartheen honor guard, they were beautiful in copper and bronze armor with great plumes of black silk, ~though the bronze and copper trimmings, would do little and less to protect them in a war~ . I had been told that “Quarth was the center of the world”, “the most beautiful of cities”, what I knew for certain, was that this city was known as “the gate between north and south, east and west” or as I liked to call it…the way home. When we entered the city, Qartheen children threw flowers at our feet and more Qartheen watched us from their ornate balconies in wonder.

The Dothraki called the Qartheen “Milk Men” for their described effeminate nature ~My Sun and Stars had always dreamed that he might plunder this rich city~ . The further we rode, the more dirty and warn I felt, my Khalasar always considered savage to these “Milk Men”, it made no matter, we would eat well tonight and our worries would be less. I longed to float in a pool and don a silken dress, to feast upon cheese and meat ~not horse, no more horse~. I smelled flowers and something…something more familiar, oh it was lemons ~lemons, at least to me, meant home~. Xaro, rode up to me, and began flooding me with complements and the promise of great gifts ~Ships and the men to sail them, perhaps an army or two.~ “Qarth, belongs to you, beautiful silver Queen”. ~I wanted Kings Landing, I wanted revenge, I wanted my Throne.~. Pyat Pree, with his thin blue lips, promised me truth, wisdom and the secrets of Kings and Queens past. I assured Pyat Pree, that I would consider his generous offer, thanked him and bid him goodnight. For this night… I meant to rest and feed my people. Xaro had genourusly given us a wing of his great palace, for more than we needed, we were welcomed and would take this opportunity to become strong.

Ser Jorah, always at my right hand side, looking every bit the proud Westerosy Knight, had traded his Dothraki garb, in exchange for the plate and mail, of the Seven Kingdoms (The great black bear of House Mormont displayed upon his chest). “My Queen, we would do best to leave this place sooner than later” ~in his always gruff and over protective tone~ . Ser Jorah, these men and this place, will get us what we need…HOME, remember, home? “I do not like the smell of this place” Ser Jorah grunted. I am no child, Ser Jorah! I am a Queen who need’s an army and the gold to buy one, we must stay here for now. Besides, I think the smell you speak of, is that of camel dun. ~giggling and nudging him with my elbow~ he looked at me with a scowl, I was sure he wanted to laugh, but kept his composer as usual. ~my great bear, he calls me his Queen, and protects me like I’m his cub. He would give his life for mine, cover me during a rain storm, starve so that I might eat and he will never leave me, ever. I wish, with all my heart I could love him, as I loved my Sun and Stars. I could try. You can learn to love, can you not?~ Ser Jorah, ~looking into his tired and suspicious eyes~ let us rest, we have been offered meat and mead, beds and fresh grass for our horses. For one night, could you humor me and try to enjoy this generous hospitality? He responded “for you my Queen, I shall try.” ~I could not help but laugh at him, he always seemed to be frowning~.

That night we supped, until our bellies swelled, bathed and slept as if the world did not exist.