Chapter 79
-POV Daenerys-
I looked out over the city of Yunkai, which had fallen after a month-long siege, from the top of the city's highest pyramid. Turning to Ser Jorah, my loyal knight, I said, "I found the resistance of Yunkai to be too organized and well-informed, as if someone was deliberately setting traps by aiding Yunkai's defenses. We lost nearly 3,000 Unsullied in taking this city."
"Are you referring to our first failed infiltration?" asked Ser Jorah, furrowing his brows.
"Not only. I'm also talking about that young captain they beheaded when he tried to switch sides to join us. What was his name again?"
"Daario Naharis."
"Yes, that's it," I said, finally recalling the name I was searching for.
"Khaleesi is right. Unsullied interrogated a prisoner, and the prisoner told the Unsullied that an assassin killed the mercenary," said Grey Worm.
"Do you think Meereen sensed the danger and is trying to prepare to face you, all the while letting Yunkai exhaust your forces to make it easier for them to defend?"
"In fact, no, I think the situation is more complex than that," I said. I took a deep breath and continued, "I believe my nephew senses the danger Drogon represents and has decided to start moving his pieces. I only know one person who has a spy network as extensive as the spider, and it's him. He found us in the Dothraki Sea."
"It makes no sense. He left you the dragon egg."
"And perhaps he didn't expect that I could hatch it."
"He managed to do it, and from our brief encounter with his assassin, he knew he would succeed even before meeting you. He must have considered it a possibility."
"If he considered me the fragile little girl I was, then he was right not to fear, even if I had a dragon. But today, I have changed, and I am no longer that frightened little girl. I am Daenerys 'Stormborn' Targaryen, Mother of Dragons and Breaker of Chains," I said, lifting my head with dignity and solemnity.
Ser Jorah hesitated for a long moment but finally said, "I disagree that he merely left you a dragon egg because he didn't see you as a threat. However, what I do agree with is that he might have made alliances with the slave cities because we intercepted a raven addressed to Triarch Vhassar, asking for his help to draw the Iron Throne's attention to the situation in the Slave's Bay."
"So it is him," I said, furrowing my brows.
Ser Jorah shook his head cautiously, "We only have suspicions, and before you make a war speech, remember what we learned from Prince Quentyn Martell of Dorne. Aegon VI has not only unified the realm but also enjoys the loyalty, or at least the support, of all the lords of Westeros, even the most reluctant ones who will undoubtedly seek to curry favor by sending troops against us. Moreover, he has two dragons that hatched before yours."
"I'm not worried about Drogon's size. I'm certain he'll quickly catch up to and surpass the size of the other two dragons," I said confidently.
"Even so, he has two, and considering the enduring hatred your brother holds for you because of Drogo's refusal to launch an invasion of Westeros, we can be sure we won't be able to turn him against Aegon," he said.
"Hmm, it seems we are finally stuck here. What do you think I should do? Ally with the Martells and return, or continue building what I have here before going back to Westeros?" I asked, turning towards the uncertain horizon, unsure of what the future held and which path to take.
"I believe you were born to be a queen, and despite the difficulties, you should finish what you've started here. You have a people who rely on you now," Ser Jorah said, bowing his head in a sign of respect.
I nodded and said, "Let's finish what we have here, and then we'll start negotiations for my return to Westeros. I imagine my nephew won't appreciate me encroaching on his territory, but now I am a queen, and he must at least respect that."