12

Chapter 12: Ch11 Pandemonium level twoChapter Text

Chapter 12 Pandemonium level two

Daenerys Targaryen

Illyrio Mopatis's solar was a testament to his wealth, filled with trinkets from all across Essos and Westeros and probably beyond. Daenerys had never been here before, she had just been the idle girl to be bartered like a broodmare by the Magister and her brother for power. She had had no reason to be called into his solar before.

But now there many reasons to be here. Too many...

The false smile on his face hid away his true feelings and the truth of just how much danger she truly was in.

Illyrio gestured for to take a seat. She took the seat without showing a modicum of the trepidation she felt. However the plan had been changed, however this all had come about, she would deal with it.

There was a pitcher of wine on the table. Illyrio took it and poured out two goblets. He gave Daenerys a smile as he sipped from her goblet before putting it in front of her.

With an ease she did not feel, she reached out and took the goblet, sipping at her wine. She nodded in acknowledgment of the meaning behind Illyrio's act.

He took the seat opposite her and they sat there, silently assessing the other as they sipped their wine.

Suddenly, Illyrio laughed mirthfully, "You truly are a slight slip of girl," he laughed again, "Who would have thought you could make all of Essos tremble?," he snorted and shook his head, "Certainly not I!"

She gave him a long look, "I'm glad I amuse you."

He gave her a toothy smile, "Defiant and unflinching...as strong as Valyrian steel. A true Dragon."

She raised an eyebrow at his compliment but didn't retort.

"We used you to secure an alliance with the Khal...but your brother spoiled that plan," he stopped and pursed his lips, "Too much like his father and brother that one." He nodded, "Personally I wrote you off after that. You should have been a minor note in the histories of the Dothraki. The Last daughter of Old Valyria married and disappearing into obscurity, especially after your Khal died." He paused with pursed lips, "I blinked and suddenly you had dragons. I blinked again and you were Queen of Meereen and the Breaker of Chains."

"It took a little longer than an eye blink," Daenerys retorted dryly, thinking back to the years of wandering, to Qarth and finally reaching Slaver's Bay.

"True...but it was a still a very quick ascent to power, much faster than credible...even with dragons to aid you." He shook his head in disbelief, "Then somehow you conquered the Dothraki." he paused his face pale, "You killed all the Khals and suddenly all the Dothraki were yours to command. That was a truly impossible achievement." disbelief and amazement coloured his tone. "And in all of this you were freeing slaves, the last daughter of Old Valyria- a nation built on slavery, freeing slaves."

Daenerys frowned at him wondering where he was going with this.

"...Lys, Tyrosh, Myr...even Volantis, all trembled in fear of your next act." His amazement and disbelief turned to anger as he spat his next words, "Except the Sealord of Braavos. He was sitting back in his palace laughing at us! He knew he was safe from you! Oh, how the Free Cities quivered in fear of the Breaker of Chains! You have no idea how relieved many parties were when you set sail for Westeros."

The cold feeling that been building in her belly intensified and turned to ice, she let no sign it come to her face.

"...All that was not what I had planned with Varys." He finished in an unamused tone. He drained his cup in massive gulp, wine dripping down onto his beard. He placed the empty goblet on the table before giving Daenerys a grumpy look, "All that you did was very much not in line with my plan."

"Then what was your plan? Varys was not as upset with me as you appear to be," she asked and retorted smartly.

Illyrio nodded, "True, Varys and I have always differed on some aspects of the plan, but a Targaryen restoration in Westeros with our backing and the help of the Dothraki. I would have finally spread our trade to Westeros. Slaves across the Narrow Sea...instead well you know," he lamented with a shrug.

Daenerys stared at him, her ire rising, "As long as I live, slavery will never spread!"

He gave her a deadly stare, "And there in lies the crux of the matter," he stood and spread his arms, "Here we are back at the beginning. You have no friends here, no loyal army...and no dragons. I don't know how this happened-"

"We did this," she cut off the Magister's tirade.

He looked at her, taken aback, "You? Why? We who? Why would you weaken yourself like this?" he asked quickly sitting back down, and leaning towards her.

She grimaced, "The plan isn't exactly going as planned. You should not remember."

He snorted and nodded, "Yes, that would have been a better plan, but why do this at all?" he asked in confusion.

She frowned at him, surely he knew? "The Others. The army of the dead."

He paled, "Those were just rumors!" he decried.

She shook her head, "They were no rumors. The Night's King won. Westeros was his. We did this because it was the only way to save...everyone." she paused and gave him a long look, "Even you..."

He sat back in shocked disbelief, becoming lost in thought as the implications of such things rolled around his mind. He remained silent as he absorbed this revelation.

As the silence continued, she fumed silently over her situation. Her part of the plan was over. Illyrio would never let her secure her allies once again, never mind hatch her children again. Sorrow filled her as she realised she would never see Jon or Tyrion or Missandei or Jorah or any of her other friends.

A soft tap reached her ears, followed by several quick others, dragging her out of her revere. She knew that sound from Astapor. It was the sound of a spear butt tapping the marble floor, she cast a look at the Unsullied who had stood in silence all through her talk with Illyrio. As before, to someone not used to dealing with Unsullied, they stood at rigid attention...but only to someone unused to dealing with Unsullied.

To her, their every action was practically screaming at her...screaming defiance. The lead Unsullied who had taped the ground with his spear, gave her an infinitesimally small nod.

She kept her face blank, I can't be that lucky can I? Her eyes darted to look at the other Unsullied, in turn each and every one gave her a small nod. She sat up straighter in her chair, she wasn't as powerless as the Magister thought. She didn't care why these Unsullied were choosing her...it was enough that they were.

She cast a look a at Illyrio, still lost in thought. She cleared her throat, "What will you do now?"

"This changes much. But not as much as you hoped." He shook his head, "It is not in my best interests to see you rise to power once again. And I think many will gladly pay to have your head."

She snorted, "And what of my allies in Westeros? How do you think they will react to that?"

"They will thank me for the men and sellswords I shall gather to stand with them," he retorted sharply, "Men and gold will buy them off. That is more than you can give them now."

"And my nephew? How will you placate him?"

That brought the Magister up short, "Nephew? What Nephew?!" he gaped in surprise.

She raised her head defiantly, "Lyanna Stark's son."

Illyrio closed his mouth with a click, as his teeth came together. He blinked at her several times before gathering his thoughts again. "All men have their price." he finally replied

"You will find it very hard to find a bribe heavy enough to bend the honor of a man raised by Eddard Stark," she retorted with a snort of derision.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "Be that as it may, I cannot allow you rise again...but do not worry I am a merciful man. Your end will be quick and painless. Take her outside and take her head. The Masters of Meereen will pay a good sum for proof of her death." Illyrio commanded the Unsullied.

With languid slowness she moved her head to look at each of the Unsullied, before turning to cock a eyebrow at the Magister.

"Now! Take her and go," he repeated, his tone not changing.

The Unsullied didn't move.

The polite smile on his face disappeared as comprehension dawned. He stared at the Unsullied with a look of dread, "What are you waiting for! Take her!" his tone suddenly held a scared edge.

The lead Unsullied stepped towards him and lowered his spear, pointed it at the twitching Magister's exposed throat, silencing him.

Daenerys held up a hand, "Hold."

The Unsullied froze.

Slowly she stood up, and as the Magister had done before, she took the pitcher of wine and refilled their goblets, holding the Magister's goblet out to him.

With infinite slowness, he reached out and took it from her, pale and trembling he managed to not spill any of it as he drank deeply. The circumstance had turned on him and he probably did not think he would survive the coming moments.

"So you were going to kill me and sell my corpse to the Slave Masters?" she asked softly.

He gulped, his eyes now betraying his emotions. He held his tongue and didn't answer. Instead he just glanced at the Unsullied warrior's spear that was pointed unmoving at his throat.

She looked to the Unsullied warrior and gestured him back, "I don't think he is a threat now...."

The Unsullied raised his spear and stepped back as she assessed him. He was older than the Unsullied that had served her, he still wore the standard armour of the Unsullied sans helmet, but his figure was more rounded than a younger Unsullied. He was not quite an old man, but he was getting there, his hair graying at his temples, though his age did not seem to have dulled his edge. Dark eyes stared at her as she looked at him.

"What is your name?" she asked.

"I am Brown Waste," he answered.

She blinked and wrinkled her nose, unamused, "The Masters and their damned names." she said in exasperation.

"I would be like to be called Adaro instead," the lead Unsullied stated.

She smiled at him and bowed her head regally, "Well met Adaro."

A light came to his eyes, "I am honored to serve the Breaker of Chains," he gestured at the other silent Unsullied, "We all will gladly serve. All of us will." The emphasis on all was not lost on Daenerys. The manse was hers with the small troop of Unsullied that Illyrio kept to protect it and him. A little of the ice in her started to melt. This was a good first step. She could make this work.

Adaro jerked his head at Illyrio, "Shall we kill him now?"

She turned back to the fidgeting Magister as the focus on his fate came back to him.

"That would be the expedient thing to do, wouldn't it?," she paused letting Illyrio's fear rise as she glared at him, "…But you did take my brother and I in when no else did, and I am a guest in your home. It would be rude of me to have you killed...and I am no Frey," she spoke calmly and slowly.

Illyrio's eyes opened wide as he sensed that she was willing to give him a way out of his predicament.

"...you are aware of my stipulations to the Masters of what was Slaver's Bay. And how I punished those that disobeyed?" she asked with an even tone, as she enjoyed watching him squirm uneasily.

Illyrio was an intelligent man- and a survivor to boot, he jumped with with both feet onto her mercy.

"Of course...of course, my queen," he bowed his head, and gave her a wide submissive smile. "I shall free all those slaves in my service and instead offer them gainful employment instead as free men and women." he waved a hand at the Unsullied, "I offer these Unsullied to you as a gift of my sincerity."

Her eyes narrowed and she glared at the odious man, "The Unsullied are not animals to be given as gifts. They are people, with as much right to freedom as any man or women. They are free as well." She turned to face Adaro and the others as she continued speaking in a more gracious tone, "And I am honored that you have already chosen to aid me."

Illyrio winced and rose from his seat, bowing deeply, "Forgive me, my Queen. Of course they are free as well," he apologized in a conciliatory manner, almost grovelling.

"Good. Very Good. I am glad you understand me. Let us move forward to business. Firstly, and most importantly...where are my dragons?" Daenerys asked in a sweet tone, her eyes flashing and daring him to lie to her.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Jorah Mormont

Illyrio Mopatis's manse was just as he remembered it. As expansive and beautiful as it always was, occupying a good area near the coast of Pentos.

There were Dothraki moving towards the manse...and he recognized many of them. There were a lot of Dothraki assembling around the manse and moving into the courtyard. A lot. Enough that they were probably making the Magister nervous. Both men and women were here. Some he recognized from Khal Drogo's original khalasar while others were from other khalasars that had joined Daenerys after she burnt the Khals in Vaes Dothrak.

As he entered the courtyard, he was quickly approached by a very familiar figure. He hadn't seen him for a very long time – since they were still wandering the Grey Wastes, before they reached Qarth.

"Jorah the Andal!" called out Rakharo, Khal Drogo's former Bloodrider.

Jorah remembered the loyal man and how upset Daenerys had been when his head had been returned to them in the Grey Wastes.

He smiled and greeted him, "Rakharo!" the man was as he remembered him, young and fit, though he kept scratching at his neck a little obsessively. Not that Jorah could blame him, considering his final fate.

"It is good to see you, my friend," Jorah continued. More loyal men to Daenerys would be good, considering the strange situation they were all in.

Rakharo nodded uncharacteristically indecisive, "And you as well...but how is this possible? I remember..." he scratched at his neck, "I remember what they did to me." He looked down crestfallen, for a moment, "I failed the Khaleesi."

Jorah commiserated with him, and shook his head, "I don't know...in the end I failed her as well."

Rakharo looked unhappy at this, "How is this possible? I...died." he asked deeply disturbed. "This is dark magic..."

Jorah shook his head, "I don't know, but I do know this. Many things are possible with magic," he paused and pursed his lips, "Many things happened after you died. Many impossible things."

Rakharo's disturbed look deepened.

"...Best to be thankful for this second chance and move on." Jorah jerked his head at the manse. "Let's find the Khaleesi, perhaps she has some answers?"

Rakharo nodded and without another word, together, they pushed through the gathering crowd towards the Magister's manse in search their Queen.

xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxox

Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys looked down at the Dothraki assembled in the courtyard from the balcony of Illyrio's solar and smiled. Suddenly her position was not so insecure. Between the Unsullied and those she recognized she had a good number of warriors at her command.

"My Queen," Adaro called from behind her.

She turned to face him, "Yes, Adaro?"

"This one is claiming to be one of your handmaidens," he gestured behind him revealing a small trembling Dothraki woman holding a round leather bag.

She beamed with delight as she recognized the woman for the old friend she truly was, she stepped forward to greet her with open arms.

"Irri!"

Irri took a step forward and then went down to her knees a look of contrition on her face. "Forgive me Khaleesi for failing you..." She opened the bag and emptied the content at Daenerys's feet.

A severed head rolled out, blonde hair curled around the head as the lifeless eyes stared unseeing. It took her a second to recognize the face. It was the same face that had seemed so familiar to her in the morning.

Doreah...the servant from the morning....no wonder she ran from me! The last image of anguish on her face as Jorah sealed her and Xaro into the empty vault, and left them to their slow end.

"...She betrayed you...she killed me. She took your dragons. I beg your forgiveness Khaleesi." Irri prostrated herself before Daenerys.

The betrayal in Qarth surged back into her mind...of returning to the Xaro's manse and finding so many of her loyal men dead, seeing Irri's lifeless body at the foot of the balcony and her dragons gone. The anger and rage came back as well.

She glared at the dead head, You killed Irri?! She gathered herself mentally and put the past/future behind her, it didn't matter any more. Doreah was dead again and Irri still lived. It was a win by her standards.

Daenerys turned back to Irri and casting away her anger, raising a semi-amused eyebrow, "What is it with people bringing me bags with heads and throwing them at my feet?"

Irri frowned uncertainly before looking down in fear, "Forgive me Khaleesi if I overstepped." she bowed again in prostration.

Daenerys went to her and bent down before gently pulling her up. She looked at her loyal friend, the smile returning to her face. "I missed you." She hugged Irri, "You never failed me. You served me faithfully and that is enough for me," she whispered into her ear.

She felt Irri's arms return the hug before they broke apart a moment later.

There were tears in Irri's eyes, "Thank you Khaleesi," she said, her voice quivering with emotion.

Daenerys just smiled back...however the plan had been changed, this was one part she was happy had changed.

After a moment she noticed that Irri was staring at her while biting her lower lip.

Daenerys frowned, "What is it?"

"How are we back? What dark magic can do this?" Irri asked in trepidation.

"Do not worry. I know how this was done...it didn't turn out exactly as was planned, but I can work with this." She explained quickly, trying to alleviate Irri's fear.

Irri's eyes widened in surprise and her uncertainty returned, after another moment she found her voice again, "Khaleesi...there are warriors of Khal Moro's khalasar here...they are calling you the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea..." she questioned, her tone filled with disbelief.

Daenerys smiled coyly, amused by Irri's confusion, "All serve me now. Many things changed after you were gone," she stepped towards the door, "Come along, let us see who else is here. There is much I need to explain and more that must be done."

She left Illyrio's study with a spring in her step and renewed vigor. Irri hurriedly followed behind.

xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxox

Jorah Mormont

Jorah was smiling as Daenerys began her explanation. Finding her had been easier than expected . No sooner than joining with Rakharo they came upon her. She had swept out of the manse accompanied bu Unsullied guards. Entering the courtyard she was greeted by the chanting of her name by the people assembled. Mixed shouts of Mother of Dragons, Breaker of Chains and Khaleesi had echoed from so many throats. As in Vaes Dothrak they screamed their fealty to her. And not just the Dothraki, many of those assembled were Pentosi natives, mostly slaves – but not all. They too screamed their fealty to her.

With quick simple words she had welcomed them all and hushed them. His heart swelled as he watched her in her element, majestic and royal. Her tone commanding all who heard her.

Things progressed quickly after that, and Jorah found himself and Rakharo along some of the more veteran of the Dothraki warriors gathered together for an impromptu planning session and an explanation of how and why all this was done. Magister Illyrio was also present as sort of new ally or 'honored' guest.

Jorah mused, telling the Dothraki that the Dead were coming for them had been a nasty surprise to those who hadn't survived to see Westeros and the war in the North.

Rakharo had turned several interesting shades or red and white as Daenerys explained in very brutal terms just how screwed they'd been. Dothraki as a whole were a superstitious lot and telling them monsters were coming for them was a hell of an experience. Thankfully, they also viewed it as the ultimate challenge of prowess for them. So they were surprisingly upbeat despite the situation.

Finally she came to part he hadn't known, his fall in the rearguard at Moat Cailin and the desperation that forced them to use magic to give them all them all a second chance.

"....it was Brandon Stark," explained Daenerys.

He winced as he thought of Ned Stark's disturbing son. The unblinking gaze and coldness of the boy always rubbed him the wrong way. His unnatural stillness was disturbing to all who knew him.

"...Brandon and the Children of the Forest cast this spell," she spoke firmly, casting significant glances to all assembled, "This is a second chance for all of us...but it wasn't supposed to happen like this." She grimaced in annoyance, "Only some of us were supposed to remember...too many of us remember and not all stand with us." She cast a pointed look at the silent Magister, "that said, some can be convinced to join us."

In response, Illyrio gave Daenerys submissive smile and bowed his head, "The Queen is most wise and merciful."

She arched an eyebrow at him but pressed on ignoring his simpering, "The other Magisters here will move against us, sooner rather than later." she admitted unhappily.

Jorah nodded agreeing with her, but one issue played on his mind, "They are a capricious group, their greed guides their every move and they do not lack for gold..." he paused wondering how to phrase his important question, "Forgive me my Queen but we are lacking your greatest advantage."

Daenerys nodded at him, "My dragons. The Magister has graciously returned the eggs to me. And thankfully that I can correct that deficiency quite easily." She turned to one of the Unsullied, "Bring me a quill and paper."

The Unsullied nodded and what she requested was quickly presented to her. She took the gathered writing implements and with quick bold strokes drew a diagram of something. She finished and pushed the piece of paper into the center of the table.

He stared at the drawing in front of him with a sudden trepidation, "What is this?"

"This is the original ritual used by my ancestors in the golden age of Old Valyria," the Queen explained, much to Jorah's confusion and surprise.

Jorah's mouth fell open as he suddenly gaped at her, "How did you find such a thing?" he choked out in disbelief.

"It was Brandon again," the Queen pursed her lips and looked pensive. "He went back and observed the needed Valyrian rituals. He saw Valyria in all of its former might."

Jorah's surprise redoubled as he imagined what the full might of the Ancient Dragonlords of Valyria would have looked like, "That is...impressive." He wasn't the only one that suffering from the surprise reveal. Illyrio had a stunned expression on his face. Jorah pressed on, "Did he discover any other secrets?"

Daenerys's pensive look deepened, her eyes held a troubled look, "No....we were lucky to just get this." She gave Jorah a look, "They sensed his presence."

A chill settled in Jorah's gut, "They sensed him? But they are long dead!"

Daenerys shook her head, "It's...complicated. Brandon explained it but it made little sense, suffice it to say he was lucky to escape from them."

Jorah cast the sudden dread he felt aside and focused back on the present and the plans the Queen had drawn. There were many details in it, with many spaces for sacrifices...

Finally after a moment of silent contemplation, "Fire and Blood, indeed," he muttered at the irony of the words of House Targaryen. The secret in plain sight that none realised. He looked at the plans again and winced at the number of blood sacrifices the Queen needed to reawaken her children.

They spoke more of preparations until a harried Unsullied rushed into the meeting, "My Queen, soldiers have been sighted heading for the manse."

"They've come for us," Daenerys proclaimed with steel in her voice.

"Then they will die!" proclaimed Rakharo vehemently. He went down to one knee, "Blood of my Blood! Command me to kill them! I will not fail you again!" His words were echoed by the other Dothraki assembled and more quietly by the Unsullied.

Jorah nodded and added his voice to theirs, they would never touch her as long as he lived.

She smiled and gestured for them to rise, "With all of you by my side, I have no fear of that "

A throat being cleared pulled their attention away from her to Illyrio, "I would suggest letting...Adaro lead." He nodded his head at the Unsullied warrior that was suddenly casting suspicious looks his way, "He was in charge of my defenses and he is very familiar with the streets of Pentos...and many little secrets in the city."

Jorah distrusted the Magister but the Queen was willing to give him a chance to prove himself to her...plus the comments about Adaro were probably true. Unsullied commanders were always good tacticians and aware of their surroundings.

Daenerys gave the Magister a long look before giving a slight nod and turning to face Adaro.

"Well?" she asked.

"That is true," Adaro suddenly smiled wolfishly, his eyes twinkling, "I do have a few good plans..."

Daenerys gave him a long calculating look, "Then gather the men. Protect this manse...." she paused and then stepped up to Adaro, "...then take this city in my name."

Adaro's face was now filled with a nasty toothy rictus of a smile. Jorah imagined that Adaro was remembering a lifetime of cruelties inflicted upon him by the Magisters and the debts he could repay in full today.

Adaro spoke with the utmost confidence and assurance, "It will be done, my Queen."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Bloodied but alive, Jorah looked out over the city. The sun was setting now and the battle was over and hard won.

The uprising had been bloody and costly. Daenerys's reputation preceded her and the slaves that remembered all rallied at a chance for freedom. The others who didn't remember didn't need much cajoling to get them to join in at the prospect of true freedom. Many of the Magisters died when their own personal slaves suddenly rose up against them.

Adaro proved to be a cunning leader with a vicious streak fed by all the injustices he'd had heaped on him during his life. Apparently, he had liked to amuse himself imagining how he could subdue Pentos with force. Putting his plans into actions was a very sweet nectar for the Unsullied commander.

The few remaining Magisters that survived the initial onslaught surrendered once news spread of an approaching Dothraki khalasar. The gates of the city were unbarred and unlocked...and in possession of Daenerys's loyal warriors. A defenseless Pentos would be too much of an enticing prize to any Dothraki Khal. And no Magister in his right mind would think of repelling a Dothraki horde while the gates were held open. It was a madness that none of the Magisters had.

The last remnants of defiance died and all bent the knee to Daenerys Targaryen, the First of her name.

As darkness finally descended over Pentos, where once a Prince ruled in name only, now a Queen ruled in truth.