BLACK BLOOD. [DAENERYS TARGARYEN.]

X.

CHAPTER TEN.
"SECRETS AND BETRAYALS"

__

In the Throne room, Daenerys requested for the old Throne to be removed and replaced by a simple bench, so the people of Meereen would not fear her or her power as they did with the Masters. She sat on it proudly and was ready to receive her people and hear their voices.

Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah stood behind the queen on each side, Missandei was on the side of the stairs as a translator and advisor for Daenerys, and Sorlo stood across from Missandei.

Time seemed to go slow as one person after the other entered and made their requests, complaints or simply showed their gratitude to the queen. Daenerys received each and every one of them with kindness, and her confidence grew with it.

"Send the next one in." She commanded, and in came a man who wore the colours of the Masters. Her face had changed into a stern look.

"The noble Hizdahr zo Loraq begs an audience with the Queen." The man beside him said.

"The noble Hizdahr zo Loraq can speak to me himself." Daenerys said sharply, not shy to show her annoyance.

Hizdahr stepped forward and climbed the first steps of stairs before bowing to the queen, "Queen Daenerys, tales of your beauty were not exaggerated." He spoke with a strong accent.

Sorlo watched the man with cold eyes and a hardened expression, and Daenerys forced a smile as she thanked the man.

"Mine is of the oldest and proudest families in Meereen." He continued.

"Then it is my honor to receive you."

"My father, one of Meereen's most respected and beloved citizens, oversaw the restoration and maintenance of its greatest landmarks. This pyramid included." Hizdahr said slowly.

"For that he has my gratitude, I should be honoured to meet him." Daenerys said more kinder.

"You have, Your Grace." The Meereenese said, "You crucified him."

The queens face fell drastically at his words, and Sorlo bit his tongue to refrain from saying things he'd regret later. "I pray you'll never live to see a member of your family treated so cruelly." The man continued in a respectful tone, but his eyes held grief and anger.

"Your father crucified innocent children."

"My father spoke out against crucifying those children, he decried it as a criminal act but was overruled. Is it justice to answer one crime with another?" He defended.