𝐒𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍 ( 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬. )

chapter eleven.

( ACT II; the age of the dragon. )
⟵ ◊ ⟶
chapter 11: one-hundred and sixty-three miles.

MEREEN would be the final destination during the liberation of Slaver's Bay and likely the hardest to defeat. With Yunkai and Astapor liberated, Mereen remained the last and most powerful stronghold along the bay. Daenerys knew the proud city would not go down without a fight, but with the help of the Second Sons and the Unsullied, she hoped they would be victorious. They had to be, with their dragons not nearly large enough to contribute to the effort.

Daenerys stood with her arms crossed, a smirk of amusement playing at her lips as she watched Daario Naharis and Grey Worm contesting their endurance, which they had been doing since midnight. She'd found them shortly after being readied for the trek to Mereen to continue after the night's camp. She'd set out from her tent early, which was currently finishing up being deconstructed. Either of them would likely escort her to find her brother before the march set off once more.

The two sat on the ground facing each other while holding their weapons by the blade between their palms, their eyes never leaving each other as they concentrated and fought the exhaustion that had likely set upon them hours ago. They weren't holding mere daggers; no, they clasped their palms against the blades of their swords. Daenerys could only imagine the burning that surged through their muscles.

"And what is it that you two are doing?" Dany grinned as she watched them.

"Ah, gambling, my princess," the sellsword tightened his lips as he concentrated harder.

"And what exactly are you gambling for?" She asked in amusement.

"We are deciding who will ride with the vanguard, princess," Grey Worm replied in his heavy accent. "The sellsword wished to ride alongside you, but I told him it is my duty."

"And I see it has sprung this game of endurance, then," she chuckled.

"I will tell you," Vaegon's voice sounded behind her as he entered the tent. "That the honor is to Ser Jorah and Ser Barristan, who have not kept this host waiting all morning." He wore a cotton linen doublet of blue to keep him cool during the march, a skill they'd acquired since they first entered the desert-tropical environment of Slaver's Bay. "Instead, you two will ride at the back of the army. With the livestock."

The king's statement made the two warriors groan exasperatedly. Then Vaegon said, "And the last one holding his sword will find a new king to serve."

They dropped the blades immediately, the tips sinking into the ground with a soft thud.

Much to Daenerys's surprise, Vaegon chuckled at the sight of their panic. She knew how much her brother had already grown to resent Daario. She hoped he hadn't heard his desire to ride alongside her.

The entertaining event of watching the sellsword and the Unsullied commander gamble had been enough to spur Daenerys into a somewhat pleasant mood by the time they were back on the trek toward Mereen, the entirety of their army filing miles behind them. She spent time riding alongside her companion, Missandei, having general discussions to feel normal despite leading an army toward their next target.