Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 15: Visions and Illusions

Qarth

Jaehaerys and Daenerys stood in the meeting room of the Thirteen. Xaro said only one of them would have the means to organize such a theft. There wasn't much to argue with such a thought. And who better than the man that offered them his home? Jaehaerys was ticked off by his offer to marry Dany, but even more so by how he described his rise to wealth. Let it just be that dragons are one of the most valuable beasts in the world. Very good bargaining chips for the right people.

Currently, the Thirteen are assembled in a meeting room inside Xaro's home. The Thirteen were not very happy with being summoned on charges of theft. But they came nonetheless. Xaro's influence probably.

"Who are they to call us thieves?" The Fat Man says.

"I didn't, Xaro did, or at least according to you, good sir," Jaehaerys says as he stood in the room with Daenerys at her side. Baelor stood just behind them, a firm hand on the handle of his sword.

"Ah, Xaro did. For once, I fully believe you. Still, we do not appreciate being summoned here and being accused of crimes," the man argues back.

"No one is accusing anyone of thievery," Xaro says with a calming voice. His eyes glanced at the King with weariness. It caused him to raise an eyebrow but looked once again at the other Thirteen members.

"May I lay out what I think happened?" Jaehaerys asked as he walked to stand in front of the group. The Fat Man leaned back and waves a hand to the 'podium'.

"By all means, indulge us."

"Dragons. Three exist in the whole world. Makes them very valuable to the right person. It caused them to be very good at bargaining a deal. Well, one person could very easily obtain them. Xaro Xhoan Daxos is the most likely suspect. Knew where they were, knew his own defenses, and how to overcome them. I am not knowledgeable about wounds, but my protector is. He found them very strange to see on men that were well trained," Jaehaerys starts to explain as he walked in front of the other members.

Each looked at Xaro with suspicion and even curiosity. They were asking themselves why he would do such a thing. This is a good question to ask and answer. Jaehaerys then looked at Xaro with a cold expression.

"Why would I do such a thing? This only brings shame to my name," Xaro asked

"Because you want more. How I would know? It was the story of how you came to your current position. You made choices that an honorable man would look down on. You said it yourself. 'I have done many despicable things, Your Grace. Things that an honorable man would look down on, yet here I am. Without any regrets.'," Jaehaerys continues.

"And stealing and breaking your laws is probably the least despicable thing you have done. The only question is who is working with you and what do you intend to achieve?" Daenerys says to finish the story.

Xaro softy laughed as he began to clap. He slowly stood up from his chair, clapping as he smiled. The other members were coming to the realization that it was correct. No man would act like this if it weren't true.

"Well done, Your Grace. Well done indeed. It is no wonder you survived for so long. Your mind has no equal in putting things together with little information. Yes, I did strike a bargain. A bargain to make me King of Qarth," Xaro said as he walked to the middle of the round marble meeting table. Jaehaerys walked back to Baelor in case he tried anything. Baelor already took out his sword in anticipation of an attack.

The council members laughed at the man, except for one. The pale-skinned and skinny Warlock of the House of Undying. His dead-looking face stared at the two Targaryens as his blue lips smile. A disturbing sight if you ask Jaehaerys and Daenerys. It was now that Baelor stood in front of them in his fighting stance. Ready to defend them and kill all who stand before him.