Norvos Pt. I

Norvos sits among the Hills of Norvos, upon the eastern banks of the river Rhoyne, a tributary of the massive Rhoyne, and is surrounded by limestone hills, dark forests of oak, pine, and beech. Located between Pentos and Qohor, it serves as a gateway for caravans and travelers going east-west on the ancient Valyrian roads, with the ruins of Ghoyan Drohe to the southwest and Qohor to the southeast. Norvos is located in a land of rolling hills and terraced farms, surrounded by small walled villages that support the larger city.

The domains of Norvos stretch as far as the western bank of the Darkwash to the east and the Upper Rhoyne to the west. The Noyne is ruled by the Norvoshi river galleys as far south as the ruins of Ny Sar, where she joins the Rhoyne. The city also claims dominion over the Axe upon the Shivering Sea, though the Ibbenese are known to dispute this claim, often bloodily.

Norvos's climate contains sweltering summers and bitter winters, with harsh, cold winds, and a pale, wan sun.

Norvos is made up out of two parts, joined only by a massive stone stair, known as the Sinner's Steps. The high city, where the ancient nobility of Norvos lives, is ringed about by mighty stone walls and located on the tallest hill in the region. Here, the great fortress temple of the bearded priests is located.

The lower city is located three hundred feet below, at the base of the hill, by the river, spread out along the muddy shores. It is defended by moats, ditches, and a timber palisade, overgrown with moss. The riverfront is lined with wharves, brothels, and beer halls. While the upper city is grim, the lower city is lively even after the past months of Khal Zhano and his Khalasar destroying villages and leaving a trail of blood and carnage on the way to the city. Qohor and Norvos both knew Zhano was heading.

However, this wasn't anything new. Most Norvosi figured that Zhano was like every other Khal. Picking on the small and would lose his thirst for blood once he approached a free city, settling for tribute before moving on. Besides, Winter was approaching in Norvos and the Dothraki weren't ones to bear the cold.

But that belief was soon shaken when the screech of the Great Golden Feathered Eagle sounded. A trademark that had become known to the world as the coming of Khal Zhano.

A great horn then rumbled through the city. Zhano had taken it from the body of a village lord, made from the hollowed horn of a ram. The horn was so great, it hung around Zhano's shoulders, and the tip where the mouthpiece was adorned curls back towards his mouth.

His cheeks swelled and he blew once more. The Khalasar bellowed war cries as they stopped outside the gates of Norvos.

"Send the slaves! Patch the moats and ditches!" Zhano ordered.

Thousands of slaves rushed out with long and heavy rolls of timber held together by rope. Thousands more came out with long timber beams that cross the moats and ditches. Norvos looked on with confusion as the city gathered at the walls to see what was happening.

Half an hour later, beams were laid and the Norvosi looked terrified when the slaves unrolled the False Floor designed by Zhano. He had used the housing design from Miller's world of the lifted floor. Miller also had a need once, it came with baseboards connected by straps like a rope ladder. Once lain down, it kept the bed from falling.

Less than an inch of space was between every timber plank, the under beams kept it straight and firm. Before the eyes of the city, Zhano rendered their defenses useless and led his Khalasar across the false floor. The Norvosi immediately sent people out with tributes. Horses, slaves, meat, wine, weapons.

Zhano laughed. "Kill the guards!"

Arrows flew and the Norvosi guards were put down with precision. Only the tribute remained outside the city walls.

"Take it!" Zhano commanded.

His slaves rushed to clear the field of the gifts.

"They think us, idiots!" Zhano roared. "One of the richest cities in Essos and they send out a train of 1000 horses, 1500 used and tired slaves, dirt wine, and trash weapons! I think we deserve more, don't you?!"

The Khalasar responded with fervor.

"Respect to those who are---" Kah! The man shouting from the palisades was nailed with an arrow.

"We came here to shake the world! Dothraki! Lords of Horse, Slaves, and War!" Zhano spoke as he drew back his bow that swirled with flames from the tip of the arrow. "Show them the might of our people! Slaves! Earn your freedom!"

Swish! Boom! The burster arrow was let loose and hit the gate of Norvos. The gates blew open as the toughest steel was no match for Valyrian Steel enhanced by Zhano's volatile flame.

"Hold!" Zhano commanded.

"Hold!" He waited.

"A little longer!" People ran to the Sinner's Steps to seek refuge and guard formed up by the central gate to defend. It all looked like Zhano had no idea to us the element of surprise. But the Norvosi was still worried as Zhano was said to be crafty and his calm expression told the world he was completely incontrol.

"Vhhoooooommmmm!" Zhano finally blew the ram horn and the Khalsaar rushed in.

Slaves ran at top speed on foot, all eager to be free of chains and ride on the backs of horses their slavers someday. The Dothraki simply want reputation, women, and wealth.

Together, nearly 60,000 became nearly 83,000. This was the horror of Khal Zhano's Khalasar where slaves could become more and women had that right to fight, ride, and if they prove themselves, command.

Norvos retaliated and arrows were shot over the walls. The Khalasar put up shields and kept riding. Some died but Norvos was too big to handle like the many walled villages they had sacked. A frontal assault was needed.

"This is what you wanted," Zhano spoke to his right.

"Yes. Shall we go?" Qoni asked.

"We are missing out on the fun," Sharo added.

"Hahaha" Zhano laughed as a mental command went to Nemyse. She pushed off and the mighty Sleipnir quickly overtook many, rushing through the destroyed gates. Through countless streets, Zhano trampled people without remorse. When he was deep enough, he leaped from his horse and drew his sword.

To the far right, he saw the docks on the river lined with Sellswords and sellsails. They didn't move, only held the defense line.

Norvosi guards surrounded him. Zhano smiled as his brow twitched, causing a house to explode in flames. The Guards flinched and Zhano moved like a monster. His sword was swift and heavy, slaying men his size, bigger, and smaller. The Norvosi continued to come hoping to put the Blood Fire Khal to death, but none could.

With every mark they made on him, three died. His body was slowly beginning to get bloody but he never stopped. Nemyse at his side, she kicked and stepped on many men. Together they created a flood of blood and bone.

The cries and shock from docks sounded. Led by Zhali and Armenia, a small Kha swam upriver. When they reached the docks, they chewed purple leaves as Armenia threw smoke bombs on the ships and docks.

The yellow smoke clouded the area and men screamed as the poison attacked and set their blood ablaze, causing boils and their hearts to burst. While the chaos spread, Zhali led her Khal onto the docks to slay the men.

Ooowwooo! Boom!

Zhano pushed out and fire cleared the guards around him in an explosive push.

"Nemyse!" Zhano shouted.

Nemyse came to his side and he took his spear from her side and sheathed his sword.

Oberon suddenly screeched and the cries of a man falling could be heard before the pop of his brains bursting onto the street followed. Oberon swooped down and landed on Nemyse.

"Thank you, boy. I'll leave the archers to you, Nemyse…" Zhano mounted her, "We've stalled long enough. It's time to bite down on the clear the city."

The battle in the lower city lasted four days and three nights. Zhali and Zhano lead people from the east to the west of the city while Qoni and Sharo lead the Khalasar from the south to the north of the city.

On the fourth night, Ships sailed down the river as the city burned and its people were put in chains. Zhano did launch volleys of flaming arrows because he wanted the world to know what he had done.

"My Khal, the city can not burn anymore," Zhali spoke.

The leaders of the Khalasar stood at the top of Sinner's Steps.

"I will handle the city."

Once Zhano turned around and looked from the top of the Sinner's Steps, he looked over the lower city and single-handedly extinguished the flames.

"Shouldn't we break through the walls and take the higher city?" Zhali asked.

"No. The High City Is upon a hill. They rely on the lower city to eat and drink. So, let's take care of the lower city. They will eventually seek me out. Surround the territory and spread the word. Khals will come." Zhano replied and that is exactly what they did.

"Yes, my Khal." the Kos replied.

"Blood of my blood, find out our condition," Zhano commanded.

Days passed to clean the city. When it was done, the structure of the Khalasar changed with a concrete structure that used to be commands and law.

Khal, Bloodriders, Kos, Khas, Dothraki nonfighters, Working slaves, slaves.

The working slaves were of the broadest status ranging from a warrior in training, cooks, healers, whores, blacksmiths, and other skilled jobs that Zhano wanted or thought the Khalasar would enjoy. Normal slaves were unskilled and took care of the most basic things in life. They were mostly the rich and nobles who were caught in the lower city during the attack.

Zhano then had the priests of the city killed and all the riches and valuables that were deemed unnecessary by Zhano for survival were gathered and stored. He then gave the command to the Khalasar to live well because he had no plans on moving for the time being.

He then sent a call for Khals who wished to join and take more cities to make the travel to Norvos.

After a month of calm, Zhali was sent with her Kha and Working Slaves to Astapor. It was a funny and historic ordeal as Zhali and her Kha border the ships on the docks. With them, they took the wealth of Norvos, not a bundle of silk was left behind.

The day after Zhali's departure, Zhano took his spear and rode Nemyse to the higher city after receiving a word that a messenger had descended the Sinner's Steps.

Before the bearded priests and council of magisters, Zhano stood with his spear in his hand.

"Khal Zhano, you attack our city, burn our priests, enslave our people, and capture merchants on the road. Norvos may never recover." Magister Lovos spoke in Dothraki. "We beg you to spare us!"

"I understand. But Norvos within the Dothraki Empire will come back from this. The Great Grass Sea doesn't come this far. The Dothraki believe that we should trample cities and let the earth reclaim the land. That would be a waste. Dothraki can not eat everything that makes them strong forever."

"Horses." a priest spoke.

"Correct. Horses make us strong. We need them. But we also need food. Under my leadership, the Dothraki will learn this slowly. Keeping them in a city is just the beginning. Giving them a taste of what could be. I'm showing them the skills of slaves and how they can help us. And in order for you all to survive, you must show them that Norvos can be a Dothraki city."

"Hahaha, you're insane." a priest spoke.

"You… well the magisters are no different than the Dothraki. You fuck, enslave, kill, and live for your own benefits. So let me speak in a way you all understand. I have been named the heir of the Imperial Forging Zha family. I have been given a palace in the city of Asabhad….oh?" Zhano watched as many of the magister's eyes sparkled.

"That's right. The Norvos of Yi Ti. Yet their economy makes yours look like child's play. I have the backing. I have the numbers and skill to take the Dothraki sea. When that happens, Norvos will have one thing that no other city has."

"Permission to cross the Dothraki Sea." a woman spoke. Not a magister but a noble highly respected.

"You are?" Zhano asked.

"Lady Mellario. Regretfully, the Princess Consort of Dorne. I took in a man that you released some time ago. Before I sent him to Westeros, he told me your message. I thought it was senseless ramblings of a Dothraki, but I stand corrected."

"Lady Mellario is right. Once I'm in charge. The Dothraki Sea is off-limits. I will choke the continent into submission. I know you're thinking about sea routes, but do you honestly think the Khal in front of you right now is afraid to teach his Khalasar how to sail?"

"I believe, Khal Zhano is a man of many wonders." Lady Mellario spoke. She knew of the ships that had recently departed the lower city.

"Lady Mellario is right again. So let's solve this problem. If I leave here today, I will only return to burn your bodies after I have starved you on this hill. Word of advice, kill the priests and follow your guts." Zhano finished and the bearded priests became anxious.

"We watched you send all the wealth of the lower city away. How can you rule the continent without money? The rest of the world isn't like the Dothraki." Magister Lovos spoke again. He seemed as well informed as Mellario.

"I'm not a fool. With that money --The wealth of your surrounding villages and the lower city, my people will return with every Unsullied in Astapor in a handful of months."

The magisters whispered to each other.

"Speak up!" Zhano roared.

"Khal Zhano, with an army of Unsullied you will certainly conquer the Dothraki Sea. But we...would like to give you an answer when the Unsullied arrive. Until…"

"So be it!" Zhano interrupted him, "Rot in these walls for half a year. Nemyse!" Zhano called and the mighty mare neighed and stamped her hoofs before rushing in.

"Wait! I agree. They may not, but I agree. I can keep the city. Half a year's time to bring the Unsullied and the same duration to prepare the city to function under the Dothraki rule when my Khal decides to move on." Mellario spoke with urgency.

Zhano frowned. "Come!"

Mellario slipped out of her shoes and ran to Zhano. He threw her over the Nemyse, then rushed off. Nobles tried to follow Mellario but Zhano ignored them all. Hesitation on the battlefield meant death. The same rules apply to life.

Outside of the Higher City, Zhano heard the gates close him. Afterward, he ordered the higher city guarded day and night. Those who escape die. No one in or out. Zhano didn't care for stalling magisters and he didn't compromise. So, the higher city will die of hunger and depression.

In the lower city, Zhano threw Mellario off his horse and the woman fell in the mud.

"Half a year or when I decide to leave. Do what you must. But you will be watched."

"My Khal, to run this city I will have to return to Westeros. Send men with me if you must but I have to go to Westeros in order to run this city once the two councils and nobles die." Mellario explained.

Zhano dismounted Nemyse as he said, "Follow me."

The two entered Zhano's manors and spoke until the sun went down. When Qoni returned with his little girls, he cared for them as Qoni cooked and the two still talked. Even as they ate, the conversation continued. Zhano wanted to know everything that Mellario was thinking. During that time, he learned a few things about her and believed her husband was an idiot.

Letting Mellario go was equivalent to Zhano letting Qoni leave him. Mellario was smart, fierce and full of ideas. She helped Zhano solve many of the Dothraki problems that would come with an empire and the subjugation of Norvos.

Mellario stayed with Zhano and his family for days until a solid plan was drawn up. He then took a leap of faith and sent 200 Dothraki and 50 working slaves with Mellario to Dorne.

"Khal Zhano!" a man shouted, "Men at the gates facing the Khalasar. A sorcerer. He demands we let his wife go. She's visiting her sister in the High City."

"Fuck his wife." Zhano sneered. He mounted Nemyse and left the docks in a hurry.

When he arrived, he found Kazo and the red-haired woman from Asshai, Serena.

"Serena, is the man really a sorcerer?" he asked.

"Yes, my Khal. He's a follower of the black goat. The woman beside him is also a shadowbinder." Serena explained with worry. "My Khal, it's nearly time for the sun to set."

A shadowbinder was their deadliest at night. If strong enough, a shadow binder could render a Khalasar obsolete.

"Let me handle this." Said Zhano. He clicked his tongue and Nemyse trotted forward.

Across the false floor, Zhano approached the man and his people. It seemed to be nearly 700.

"I am Khal Zhano." is all he said.

"I am Haymitch of Qohor. The only son of Cardinal Gor Raw of Qohor." Haymitch spoke in Dothraki.

"Should that mean something to me?" Zhano asked.

"It means, hand my wife over or the Qohor City will use its forces to curse this city to destruction!" Haymitch roared.

Zhano saw a shadow move and noticed the sun was closer to falling. Zhano sighed then dismounted. He had no idea how hot he could get, but he was about to find out.

Stabbing his spear into the ground, Zhano breathed in deeply. Every breath like a Grand Dragon of old. The heat rose and Zhano's skin became hot to the touch. Smoke shrouded his body and the horses that Haymitch brought began to freak.

"Haymitch. Fuck your wife and Qohor!" Zhano growled, his mouth open and he spewed a torrent of flames. The horse flipped out, bucked, and wanted to run, but Zhano commanded them to stay as the fire rolled over 700 horsemen like clouds of fog.

Zhano snapped his jaws shut, flexed his hand and the burning land and men intensified until cinders remained. Zhano panted as his stomach growled. When he returned to the city he feasted with his Khalasar to replenish the energy used to wield his fire.

"My Khal." Serena spoke, "forgive, but I noticed that you don't care much about the dragon eggs."

"I do not. I must learn more about them before bringing them into the world. Haa, I also need to learn how to bring them into the world. But I have time, Norvos is home for now."

"Khal Zhano, my I assist you? I know many things about wielding fire and dragon lore." Said Serena.

"If I have a need, I will call for you," he told her.

But her inquiry made him think of a lot of things. The Eggs, the Dragon Scroll from Zha Bu, His uncle, and blacksmithing. So many things to learn and train.

Zhano looked at Serena once more and said, "Find me tomorrow at midday. Don't be late"

Zhano left soon after and went to find his uncle. The man was unhappy and often isolated himself. When Zhano arrived at his small house, he found him fucking two whores. When he was finally finished, Zhano entered.

"It's time you do what you came here for." Said Zhano.

His uncle laughed. "A Dothraki wants to learn blacksmithing?"

"I do and I will. I will learn anything that I want regardless of my Dothraki blood. So teach me, fight, or become a slave. There is no place for useless people in my Khalasar. " Zhano laid it out plain.

His uncle sucked his teeth. "Fine, Khal Zhano. We start tomorrow. But be ready, smithing is worse than any battle a warrior can fight."

"You two belong only to this man from no own." Zhano addressed the whores.

One of them was shocked and resistant. She was married and in fact wasn't a whore, but an unfaithful wench.

Zhano's uncle laughed and happily thanked Zhano.