Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

xvii. Heading East

It has been a few days since Daenerys' marriage to Khal Drogo, and now the Khalasar has decided to head east, towards the Dothraki Sea. Although there is the word sea, which makes most men think of salt water, waves, and ships, the Dothraki Sea is much different. It is not water, but grass trodden over by horses before everyone on foot can follow.

Viserys has been sulking most of the time so far. He does not speak the Dothraki tongue, getting me to translate for him, and he does not enjoy having to eat horse meat. I have not spoken to many people apart from translating, as most of the women here are slaves and something about the men scares me. I see the way they look at me and I do not like it.

One good thing about this trip so far is that I have had time to practice my sword wielding skills. I was surprised when Viserys willingly gave over his sword for me to practice with. Some of the younger Dothraki boys are training and I have been invited to join them today, so I am preparing for that.

All I have really done in my own training is gone over how to hold a sword and I have swung it a few times, as well as practiced basic blocks. It is difficult to train with Viserys watching his sword intently and when I do not have anyone else to train with. I know Viserys will be coming with me today, but I am not too worried as there will be others there too.

Whatever feelings there are between Viserys and I have been growing on both sides. We share a tent as he worries about me, although I have plenty of privacy. We kiss and share a bed, but never go further then sleeping, holding each other close, and the kissing. Once it got very close, as Viserys slid his hands over my breasts, but he stopped himself.

I have never wanted to go home so badly. Something about the heat that contrasts so greatly to the cold of Winterfell makes me lust for home, as well as the horse that I get to ride. It looks so much like my own horse back home. I have not voiced my opinions to anyone, but it does not mean my feelings are not there. All I want is home and I worry no one will understand.

The Dothraki had set up camp for the night, so I had Viserys' sword and we were walking to the training area together. I will be training against only boys, so I imagine they will get a shock when a foreign woman with a foreign weapon trains against them. They will need to learn how to fight against swords if they wish to help us take Westeros.

Just as I expected, heads turned as I entered the training area. Khal Drogo had already informed the man leading the training, Raggo, that I would be joining him. Raggo had gladly agreed. I do not know if it is so he can stare at me or if he is genuinely interested in seeing a Westerosi fight. I have no armour, only light chainmail covering my torso, but these boys do not even have that.

"Alessia," Raggo greeted, with a short nod. He speaks only Dothraki, which I know will frustrate Viserys, but I am not translating. "Boys, this is Alessia Stark of Westeros. She will be training with us today."

"Everyone train as hard as they can," one of the older boys commanded. "I would like to see this foreign bitch break before we even really start."

Raggo looked to me, trying to figure out whether or not I would answer back. I was going to, of course. This boy could not be much more than a year younger then me, with strikingly dark brown eyes, and already part of a braid in his dark brown hair. His dark, copper-coloured skin did nothing to hide his muscle, but he still did not scare me.

"I may be a foreign bitch, but I would mind your tongue if I were you," I responded, surprising everyone with my fluent Dothraki. "I speak your language and will make a point of shaming you if you are not careful."

"Then try and shame me, whore!" The boy spat.

As if on some kind of cue, all of the other boys stepped away and this one drew his arakh, which is the Dothraki sword. It is a large, curved blade that is effective on horseback, but not so much on foot. It cannot penetrate armour, but if used correctly it could easily remove a head. Good thing I am not shorter then this boy.