Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 49: Calm Before The Storm

Ruins of Velos

Daenerys looked outside the window. The wind was calming down. It would only take hours before they could fly. They had to stay grounded within the ruins of the former city of her people. She gazed down the overgrown street. The buildings were starting to age, with crumbling walls and here and there, blocks of stone she wasn't sure where they came from. It made her wonder what remains inside those buildings.

"Curious as well, Dany?"

"We've been here for days and only stayed within this room. Of course, I have grown curious. Our people lived here long ago. Who knows what's left within these structures?"

"We can go and see," Jayne said, coming to stand next to Dany. A small smile danced on her lips as she looked toward the Queen. Daenerys couldn't deny Jayne has become gentle and kind. It made her heart warm to see her try so hard, for her, surely for Jaehaerys as well if he was here.

"We should see if our ancestors left something here," Dany said. "Their possessions may prove useful. Who knows what we'll find?"

"Gold? Riches? Valyrian Steel?" Jayne said with a grin on his face. Like an excited kid, she could barely sit still, eager to explore the city.

"Well, Valyrian Steel may be a bit too ambitious," Daenerys giggled. "Come! I am quite excited at the prospect!"

Daenerys took Jayne's hand and guided them both out of their shelter. Both skipping like little children through the streets, or so it felt for Daenerys. She could feel a bit like when she was young. Before everything turned to hate and bitterness. How sad it is to be only seventeen and seen such horrors. Even Jaehaerys who is only four years older.

The two entered the first house after a short skip through the streets, the dragons watching them as they passed them. Both were lazing next to their shelter, only flying away to get dinner. They entered a small house where not much remained. Most inner walls made of wood had collapsed. The floors were littered with stray items. Jayne knelt down, sifting through the rubble, a playfulness on her face. It was like a little kid playing in a field.

"Found anything yet?"

"Broken chairs, rotting wooden pieces... a candle holder," Jayne said. "I think some ruined paintings too. Might be good as decoration?"

"I believe we're not worthy of such fine craftsmanship," Dany laughed looking at only a mildly covered canvas. Yes, definitely not worthy. She looked throughout the room; clearly, hardly a thing in this building aside from broken items.

"Not much here, is there?"

"No, but normally I'd say. At most a house of a decent merchant. This is too small, no fused stone; it doesn't seem like a place for people with too much coin. Shame the stairs have rotted away; there may have been something on the other floors."

"Hmm, perhaps we should look further up the street," Daenerys said. "I believe I saw more darker colored buildings there. Maybe some more well-off lived in those. You know, the color of fused stone."

"I think they've all been looted... I mean this has been abandoned for a long time. Pirates and bandits must have come by already."

"Not really, the island isn't very welcoming to visitors. I think we're safe because of our dragons," Dany said as the two strolled through the street. "Stories say monkeys—deadly monkeys—plague anyone on this island."