Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 13: Invitations and Intentions

Red Waste

"Do you know what I hope for the most right now?" Daenerys hums as her head rested on the lap of Jaehaerys. The never-ending sun trying to melt them away into puddles of water and blood. Once he loved the sun and its warmth. Now, wants a fierce rainstorm.

"That it will rain?"

"A strong second. Very strong second place, but I decided that marriage would be my number one. If it weren't for Viserys, we would have already been wed to each other."

"You're right. But now we have the opportunity. When we're out of this ungodly landscape and found a safe and good place we will marry. We will trust me. Nothing will deter me to break this promise to you," Jaehaerys says, placing a soft kiss on her forehead, "But first we need to survive, Dany. I want to give you everything you deserve. I promise to be good to you."

"You always are, Jaeh. No one has ever treated me with respect and love like you. There is something else. I worry about Aegor, Rhaelor and Rhaegal. Our dragons... they won't eat. What do dragons eat?"

"Meat. That's what Viserys always said. It is what Baelor also said when we asked him. Perhaps, they like their meat cooked? I know I like it better when it is cooked instead of raw," Jaehaerys says with a chuckle. Daenerys smiles as she turns on her side.

"We can try... but we should teach them to do it themselves. When-" Daenerys starts to say but slowly got up as she looks towards the horizon. A rider was coming. Everyone began to stand on their feet as they see the rider coming towards them. He is alive that much was clear.

"Let's hope he found something," Jorah says as he approached the two Targaryens with Baelor.

"Good or bad, any news is better than none at all," Daenerys says. She went forward to him as the converse. The rider had nothing extra, but it seems we know which way we shouldn't go.

"It seems Rakharo didn't find anything..." Daenerys says with a sigh, "Rakharo did hear that Kovarro found a more promising route. We know in a day probably or so Rakhoro thinks."

"A day is something we can bear, not pleasant, but survivable," Jaehaerys says. "But we should prepare for at least a few days in march. Rakharo was away for at least three days."

"Yes, but we can't really prepare can we?"

"I meant mentally. A march without food or water is quite mentally exhausting. We both know that, Daenerys. After all, we know what hunger and thirst are."

"You're right."

It wasn't long before another rider came back. Again with no news of Qarth. However, he at least came back with some water. Daenerys sends him back with Rakharo to get more. Not much came back, but at least some extra water was better than none.

Kovarro came back the day after with great news. He found Qarth. It was apparently three days away. Even better, they seemed willing to receive us. Even so, it gave not much comfort to Jaehaerys. He rather sees it first before believing it. After all, not many people trust outsiders so easily. Especially in cities as isolated as this one. Land-wise, at least.

Daenerys gave the order to continue the walk through the desert. The entire time everyone walked under the blazing could only be described as miserable. But when the walls came in sight, a new surge of energy made them push on.

When they were facing the first line of the walls one can see that no one would easily take this city. Three walls and each consecutive wall is higher than before. You would need hundreds of thousands of men and a large navy to take the city. Or dragons. Each of the gates opened up as a contingent of soldiers came out with a group of men behind them. A group of very wealthy-looking people.