Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 16: Alysanne Velaryon

Harbor of Qarth

Alysanne looked with a smile as her ships were filled with goods. There were so many curious objects originating from strange places. Some of them are even further east than Qarth. For so much less coin than it would have been in Westeros and even in most cities in Essos. She went straight for Qarth and only stopped at Volantis to resupply. Alysanne already planned to have more voyages in the future. To see the lands, visit more cities, and garner more fame. She will already be famous when she returns rich.

"Alton, I am a happy woman. I'll make sure to give the men a share of whatever this will earn me. So, any word of Baelor?" Alysanne asked as she sat in her cabin, feet on the table while leaning comfortably in her seat.

"Not yet. It has been hours. Are you sure we can trust this Jorah fellow? Never heard of him," Alton said as he took a deep gulp of ale.

"Hmm, I don't know him either. I knew his father though. Or heard of him at least. A good man from what the stories told me. So, I'll give this Jorah the benefit of the doubt. And waiting can't hurt. Say what you will, but I don't care if I have to wait in this city. Bloody good drinks they have."

"Aye. That is true. Did we buy some of this? I wouldn't mind getting paid with this!" Alton laughed as he raised his cup in a cheer.

"No, but you just earned yourself a raise for giving great ideas like that!"

"My Lady! Someone called Baelor is asking for you!" A man from the deck called out.

"Ah! Look! Patience has its value. Maybe Jacaerys isn't a fool? Let's see this idiot," Alysanne says as she drinks her cup empty and made her way up. Alton followed suit as they soon walked to the gangplank.

Alysanne saw a strange group of people on the pier. Her men watched them carefully with hands on their swords. Making sure they do not enter without permission. There was the man called Jorah who stood next to a man in armor. Baelor the idiot brother stood next to him. Furthermore, there are two silver-haired people, one man and one woman standing in the front. And... dragons curled in their arms.

"Are those fucking dragons?" Alysanne asked them as she leaned on the railing.

"They sure are, sister," Baelor says with a smile.

"Well, well, that makes you two the last two Targaryens, eh? Heard you need a lift west," she says.

"We do. Enough room for all of us?" Jaehaerys asked as he motions to the group around him. The copper-skinned people seemed to be fearful of the ships. It made Alysanne sigh as she already could tell they will puke.

"Are those dragons going to burn my ships?"

"No, they won't. They listen to what we say. Mostly," Daenerys says.

"I don't let strangers on my ship. Tell me your names."

"Daenerys Stormborn and this my brother Jaehaerys. And this-" Daenerys says as she was about to introduce everyone. Only, Alysanne seemed to have changed her mind as she cut her off.

"Welcome aboard! Oh, and one more thing make sure your copper-skinned friends do not puke anywhere but in a bucket," Alysanne says, "Raise the anchors. We are leaving!"

Jaehaerys raised an eyebrow as he looked at Baelor. He just shrugs as he went on board with the two Targaryens in tow. The Dothraki were each given a bucket or one they had to share with someone else. Without much hassle, the ships made their way to the sea. Daenerys and Jaehaerys sat with their dragons on the deck on a few crates. Out of the way and to let Alysanne's crew do whatever they need to do on the ship.

"A curious woman," Daenerys says as she watched Alysanne at the helm.

"Yes, but I prefer blunt and honest people over people like Xaro. Besides, having her on our side could earn us some good credit with the Lord of Driftmark. A powerful ally on the seas to have," Jaehaerys says.

"Indeed."

"My lord, my lady. Lady Alysanne wants to speak with you," a man says as he approaches the two Targaryens. He looks with a weary glance at the dragons. Probably thinks he will die if came any closer. Jaehaerys glanced toward Alysanne again as she entered the captain's cabin with Baelor.

"Very well. We'll be there in just a moment. The dragons need to rest anyway," Jaehaerys says.

Alysanne, Baelor, and the two Targaryens sat in the cabin not much later. The silver-haired captain looked each of them over, studying them thoroughly. Not surprising if you ask them.

"Baelor. It has been a long time. Even when you came to Driftmark, you didn't even think of visiting your sisters? I should slap you across the face," Alysanne says as she looked at the man.

"I should-"

"Should what? Do you have any idea how Elaena feels? After two dozen years, she is still waiting for you to grow some sense. And you did not even think of visiting her. Why?"

"I made a mistake. One I plan to fix, but I need to help Jaehaerys and Daenerys first. I promise, Alysanne. I will make amends," Baelor says softly in return.

"We will see, won't we? I promise you this Baelor, I will kill you if you hurt her once more. I will not see her cry over you again. You are the biggest idiot I ever met. And what about you two? What do you want? The Iron Throne? Or something else?"

"The Iron Throne, but we need an army first. We have gold, but we need to find the army."

"Right. I will give you some advice, Jaehaerys. Don't go to Westeros without an army. No one cares about you. Or your sister. More people would want you dead than alive. That I know. When you come, you best come with an army no one can match."

"I know. Where will you take us?" Jaehaerys asks her.

"Astapor. I will make sure to bring you there safely because after that I will go straight back to Driftmark. Before you ask, no. I will not serve you. Unless you convince my brother Jacaerys somehow. He is my lord after all," Alysanne says.

"I thought you never listened to him, Alysanne?"

"I don't, but this time I have no choice. This isn't about fighting in the streets or taking a horse to go wherever I want on Driftmark. Or taking a ship to sail the Narrow Sea. This is about war. I won't drag him into it. I am not that stupid, Baelor."

"We won't ask it of you. We will manage when we get to Astapor. I hope you will at least inform him that we mean well and hope to get his support when the time comes," Daenerys says with a polite smile.

"Hmm, I will, but that's all. I don't have any fancy cabins for you. You sleep where the sailors sleep. And keep those dragons from burning my ships. It will take a few days to reach Astapor. Best get comfortable."