Y'olanda stood at the edge of Stone Drum, delighting in how striking the view of the sea was. The wind blew her clothes. The only thing that spoilt the sight was the dragons flying in the sky. How could there be such ugly beasts in the world?
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rhaenyra stalking towards her, hands clasped at her back.
Rhaenyra chuckled lightly. "When people see me coming towards them they would bow, then proceed to leave until I tell them it's alright and they can stay."
Did she test her or did she simply not understand? Foreigners, always so insolent... or brave.
"Forgive me, my Queen, but as I have just been here a mere three days, your Westerosi practices haven't settled on me yet." Still, her eyes never left the seas as she addressed the Queen.
"It appears that you don't have much affinity for me, Y'olanda. Why is that?" Her elbow perched on the parapet, studying the side profile of the braided girl.
People either feared, loved, or hated her but this one she couldn't tell where she stood in her heart. Not knowing what a supposed ally feels about you was dangerous as there was always a hidden meaning to their words.
"What I feel for you should be of no importance to you as you are going to be the Queen of seven kingdoms after winning the war that would claim thousands of innocent lives." Y'olanda squinted her eyes because of the wind.
"You do not agree with the war about to happen."
"On the contrary, I do. I believe war is the stepping stone for peace. Then again, if I did not agree with your methods and told you to stop, would you have listened to me?" She turned her head to stare at Rhaenyra.
"I admit that you are a commoner but I wouldn't listen to you because the war is inevitable. It is of great importance that I sit on the throne." Rhaenyra didn't know why she had to explain herself to this child.
"Why? Why do you want the throne, Queen Rhaenyra?"
"Because it is my birthright. My father, King Viserys, named me heir before he passed away yet people seized the throne from right under me. They killed my child and now I must get it back no matter the cost."
"And what about you, Y'olanda of Nefer, what is it that you want?"
Y'olanda looked up at the dragon above them and the Queen followed her gaze. "A dragon? Is that what you desire?"
Y'olanda laughed making Rhaenyra frown, irritated, "Have I said something that amuses you, Y'olanda?"
'Ah, the queen's patience is thin. She expects loyalty but despises questions. How fragile power must feel if challenged so easily.' She thought to herself.
"Take no offense, my Queen but why would I want a dragon? Dragons are creatures of fire and here they are feared but where I come from, dragons are deformed ugly creatures, formed out of rage by the gods to destroy humanity. Why would I want something born out of pure rage?" she paused, "For rage breeds destruction."
"You are claiming that I harbor rage in my veins. We Targaryens have the blood of the Dragon in us." Whether to be offended or not, Rhaenyra did not know.
'How little you understand the power a dragon commands? Do you think you're above fear, or are you simply a fool?' Rhaenyra didn't utter these words.
"Then I suppose it's a gamble. Your birth just like the hatching of a dragon's egg is a gamble, a way for the gods to throw a sickening anticipation in the air making people wonder when they would finally do it."
"Do what?"
"End the world," Y'olanda replied with the corner of her lips tipped upwards.
"You have a cynical way of thinking. Why create a world only to see it end?"
Y'olanda shrugged, "Sometimes the best view is when one stands on top of a throne of ash just like you are about to do."
Silence passed between them, each lost in their thoughts. Who was this girl and what was her goal?
"You know most people would have insisted I give them a place in my court or small council. A position of power." Rhaenyra told her, her gaze torn away from Y'olanda but at the vastness of the seas.
"You are a woman leading men. Women never lead." she shook her head.
Rhaenyra glanced meaningfully at her. "Seems like some traditions are shared everywhere."
"We didn't have rulers but chiefs and there had never been a female chief. If a chief's wife failed to bring forth a male heir, she would be killed." The silver-haired Queen wanted to say something but Y'olanda spoke first.
"So Queen Rhaenyra, if I were a member of your council I would say letting a foreigner in your closet, is ill-advised. These men don't want you to rule, they pray every night for your downfall and this would be the way to start cracking the bridge." Her words were wise and very thoughtful.
"Maybe if times were different and you weren't a foreigner and a man, then I would have desired for you to be on my small council." Rhaenyra smiled thinly. She had a point. One she loathed to admit but trust was not a luxury she could afford.
Y'olanda scoffed internally, 'I would never join even if you begged me on your knees.'
****
In their shared room, Mysaria came to visit.
"So you were a spy in King's Landing," W'yonna confirmed brows furrowed.
"Then why did you leave? You had such a hold there. You could have bent them all to accomplish all you want both high born and commoners." Y'olanda was disappointed.
"My brothel was set ablaze as I was trying to curb the child fighting in flea bottom but I could not achieve it before everything went downhill. Queen Rhaenyra had mercy on me and set me free and now I serve her."
As W'yonna uttered words of comfort to Mysaria, Y'olanda stared deeply. Such power, though dangerous, meant stability. They were foreigners but if they could dangle secrets above their heads, wasn't their safety ensured?
"Lady Mysaria, can this network still be revived back at the Capital?" She leaned forward on her seat.
"It is still active. I send a woman there to deliver information to another woman who works as a servant. Why do you ask?"
Seeing the cunning look in her makai's eyes, W'yonna knew what she was thinking and gods save them all because it was not anything good.