The Black and Red Dragon

Chapter 48: Duty and responsibilities

The next few days have been busy, but pleasant. My morning routine starts off with training with the two knights, Daario, and Grey Worm. The other part of my morning routine consists of dealing with meetings with Grey Worm and Daario. They often update me on the status of our forces and their patrols. I am not a fan of dealing with Daario and his men. They always cause some kind of damage or disturbances in the streets of Meereen. I suppose it could be worse but it would make my life easier if I did not receive those reports. I was at least able to convince Daario to limit the damage his men cause. It was getting expensive. I suppose the threat of removing the cost of the repairs from their pay was a good incentive.

The afternoons are much better. On some days I patrol the streets with the Unsullied or with one of the knights. On other days, I accompany Daenerys when she meets with supplicants or does any other queenly business. I guard her when she talks to the supplicants and on some occasions, I give advice. It is not exciting by any means, but at least I am with Daenerys. My favorite time is in the evenings when I spend some quality time with Daenerys. Of course, we use the time to be intimate with each other, but we also use the time to vent, cry, or talk about our feelings. It helps us to stay true to each other and ourselves.

At the moment, I am making my way to stand guard and help Daenerys while she talks to supplicants. I enter the throne room and make my way to the side of Daenerys. Daenerys is sitting on her throne and I notice the smile that is forming on her face when she sees me enter. "How was your morning, darling?" She asks me. "Aside from the training? Boring, at least I didn't receive any reports about the Second Sons. That really made my day," I say while I stand next to her. She laughs.

"I have something to discuss in the evening with you if that is okay?" she asks. "Of course, my Dragon." Daenerys turns to Missandei. "Missandei, send the next supplicant in, please." Missandei nods and she motions to the Unsullied to let the next one in. From the entrance, a man walks in with a cloth bundle in his arms.

The man looks like a shepherd or a farmer. He is in his early thirties, I think. He does not lookup. As if he is slightly afraid to face Daenerys. Missandei clears her throat. "You stand before Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, The First of Her Name, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chain, the Unburnt and Mother of Dragons." It seems the list of titles has grown.

"You have too many titles, love..." I mutter quietly. Daenerys' face does not change from her normal kind expression, but if you look closely she is trying to hide her laugh.

The man stands still and a little ways away from Daenerys. He really does seem a bit afraid to approach Daenerys. "Don't be afraid, my friend," Daenerys says to the shaking man. "The queen says you may approach and speak," Missandei says to the man. Reluctantly, he steps forwards. He starts to speak in a variant of High Valyrian. I don't know what he is saying. Missandei translates for Daenerys, me, and Ser Barristan who stands at the other side of Daenerys.

"He is as a goatherd. He says he prayed for your victories against the slave masters," Missandei translates. "I thank him for his prayers," Daenerys says with obvious sincerity and kindness in her voice. Missandei translates for the man. The man lays the cloth bundle down on the floor and unfolds it. The smell of something burned to ash can be smelled. When the cloth bundle is fully open, it reveals the charred remains of a burned goat.

"It was your dragons, he says. They came this morning to his flock." The man says and Missandei translates. "He hopes he has not offended, Your Grace, but now he has nothing." Missandei finishes. I look at Daenerys and her face wears a sad expression. She is also quite distraught at the news of her dragons. "Tell this man I am sorry for his hardship." Daenerys begins to say while Missandei translates for the man. "I cannot bring back his goats, but... I will see to it that he is paid their values three times over." When the man hears the response, he thanks Daenerys profusely while he walks away. It was quite funny how he walked away if I am honest.