Chapter sixty-two: Xandarians in Westeros.

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~~~Zoila Monke, First Moon, 277 AC~~~

~~~Red Keep, King's Landing~~~

I was disappointed every time I saw or was a minute longer in this backward, dirty, smelly place. Thank the great stallion that my sense of smell wasn't as keen as I knew the witches' was because I'd be on the floor puking with a sore nose by now. 

Still, this backwater city had its certain charm... Low, but that was better than nothing. I didn't understand how Varys could stand to be here so long and not return to Xandar on the first ship he saw. Something that spoke of his love and loyalty to the cause of our king. Something that made me admire him.

From what little I had managed to see so far, this city was home to many beggars, and despite being average in the various cities I had visited since becoming a fleet general, from the looks of it, at least here, they seemed a bit... Happy? 

Varys had sent a message just before my flagship separated from my fleet, and we docked. He had sent his parrot to tell me to keep my thoughts to myself as much as possible and not get too many ideas about the king. 

I didn't think much of it at first, but now? I found it hard to believe that the stooped, smelly man was the king of a vast kingdom such as the Seven Kingdoms. In my mind, A king would have to be someone like my king, solid and imposing, who made you follow him and admire him for all he had accomplished by himself in just a year and a half. 

Not this man with his long fingernails and his smile rotten from bad hygiene, and yes, as my king had once said, that the crown weighed on the head, especially in this case, being the king and descendant of a three-hundred-year-old dynasty that had managed to unify seven kingdoms into one. 

That was a lot of weight on his skinny shoulders, but god, the man seemed to be on the verge of having a breakdown. Although he looked and 'felt' friendly and had a gentle soul, at least to me and my retinue, there was something about him that didn't make me stop being tense. 

Besides not letting go of the insistent gaze of the blond man with green eyes that had pierced my back since we arrived at the courtyard where the king received me. I swear, I was about to shove my sword up his ass if he kept up the staring war. 

"And you are?" I couldn't take it anymore, so I asked the man who had been analyzing me a while ago. 

The man had the decency to look chagrined at being 'caught' seeing me. "I am Tywin Lannister, lord of Casterly Rock and hand of the king," he answered me, with his face again showing a severe countenance. 

"Ohh, you are credited with the song of the Rains of Castamere," I commented, a bit interested. Knowing that even here, in these ugly lands, there were bold people with solid convictions enough to make their belongings veiled caught my attention a bit. 

In Xandar, it was no different. Although people enjoyed an extremely pleasant standard of living, thanks to the many opportunities for work with good pay, that did not mean that everything was joy and jubilation. 

Partly because it depended on whether you were a citizen of Xandar, or you weren't, and if it was the latter, the most you could hope to find was working in the pink zone, in the mines, in the sewers, on the docks, or as a caretaker of the beasts in the large stables. 

Not only that, but Xandar, which is the basis of my Dothraki people in its culture, turned Xandar into a very militaristic place. Sure, slavery was no longer seen, but still, you could end up being a slave to the system if you didn't set out to fight for your country. 

Something that was seen when even the members of the families of the nobles or ministers were forced to serve several years in the military training processes, where they would be soldiers of the kingdom and who would be called in case they were called. 

And, of course, for many, including myself, that was the highest level of honor that any Xandarian could aspire to, especially if you achieved the position of a general since that would mean that you immediately became a noble. You will be able to enjoy many benefits from the crown and improve your standard of living and that of your family. 

And now, knowing that in Westeros, there were people capable of doing anything to protect and fight for their country made me feel close to Lord Tywin, someone who had used strength and fear to protect his birthplace and turn it into something to admire and fear. 

"Yes, know that the Rains of Castamere do not do justice to what happened to those people," Tywin replied with a serious look, making me smile and nod. "You would do very well in Xandar, Lord Tywin; in Xandar, we respect strength and power; you would feel very comfortable there." 

Lord Tywin grumbled his nose a little, though I could tell he liked that he knew he was 'admired' for his actions years ago. 

"I understand you are a... General?" 

"Ohh, yes, it's the highest position someone who creates a military career within Xandar can aspire to," I replied confidently, noticing how the members of the king's guard were paying more attention to my words now that I had made it clear that I was a soldier. 

"It must be a bit peculiar for women to have to fight in your household." While his tone was clamored, and anyone would have noticed it as a healthy comment, I understood that he was also speaking of his avoidance of knowing that a woman was in the levies. 

And as much as I came to care about the man's character, I could not let the silent insult he had just blurted out pass, "Believe me when I tell you that Xandar possesses the largest army in the world today, full of men and women who will not think twice about murdering or dying for our kingdom." 

With the scathing comment leaving my lips, Lord Tywin held back his comments, apparently not expecting my direct response, perhaps thinking I would follow him down the path of sweet words and silly games of politics. 

Soon enough, we came to a large hall with a high ceiling supported by massive columns and several dragon skulls. By the looks of it, they must have belonged to giant dragons in life. The smallest of them was much larger than the Wyverns of Xandar, with only Endoxes, the king's dragon, being large enough to compete in size with the beasts to whom these skulls belonged. 

But what stood out was a mountain of swords, axes, spears, and war hammers, many of which were melted together, forming an ugly, uncomfortable, and hideous structure that passed for a throne. 

Indeed whoever made that crappy throne must have loved to feel sharp objects in his ass. 

Many were already gathered in the great hall; apparently, this was the king's court, judging by the large number of people in it, dressed in silk and ordinary people held by city guards, reaching a sum of more than five hundred people in the great hall. 

Once everyone saw that the king had entered along with members of the small council, all noise within the court was silenced, with only the king's footsteps, his hand, and Maester Pycelle making the only sounds in the hall. 

The king climbed to the top of the ugly throne, his hand on the right side, with Varys and Maester Pycelle on the left. "Hail King Aerys Targaryen, second of his name, King of the Andals, Rhoynish and First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm!" 

With Lord Tywin's announcement, all present kneeled except me and my men, who copied my action, bowing their heads slightly in a manner of respect. It was an act that everyone witnessed since even the king's hand commented on the subject. 

"You are in front of the king of the Seven Kingdoms; show respect and kneel." Lord Tywin spoke heatedly, making a scene and my companions and me the focus of attention. 

"I bowed my head in favor of respect!" I replied immediately. I did not care to fan the flames of the situation any further, and while I had a mission in coming to this remote and dirty place, that did not mean I would leave my king's honor on the ground. 

"Neither I nor my companions, as servants and Xandarian citizens, can kneel before anyone but our king. I gladly extend my tokens of respect to King Aerys; beyond that, he will not expect one from me or any Xandarian." 

"Ohh, Tywin!" The king spoke from atop his throne, drawing the attention of everyone in the room: "Stop playing the bear and get the session started; I want to meet with the friends of Xandar quickly, so get this over with already."