Chapter 035 – A little dragon

[289 AC]

Looking at the Black Pearl of Braavos leading the way and admiring her sensual movements and curvy backside, Phenex's senses had already picked up every lifeforce in Braavos, while his sight couldn't be hindered by mere stone and wood, so it was easy for him to lock onto their destination.

Belio and Si La following behind tightly, as his fiery figure moved through the temple.

Priests, servants and believers alike all fell to their knees in reverence when they saw him, the Braavosi people still vividly remembering the blazing Giant cutting of the Titan's hand and shaking the Free City to its foundations.

The Red Temple in Braavos lay on the edge of the island that was generally known as the temple district, this meant that the temple could be accessed by land and via a boat.

The Black Pearl had brought her barge to the shore of the temple and it was on that small vessel, that Phenex sensed Daenerys and the old knight.

Bellegere's own servants and guards hurriedly fell to their knees as they saw Phenex's blazing figure walking behind their Lady, wide-eyed and in disbelief at his presence.

Not bothering with them, the four moved through the average sized vessel and approached the room where the Black Pearl of Braavos had settled her guests in.

Opening the door directly, the courtesan stepped into the room, holding the door open for her Lord.

…

Willem Darry, former Master-at-Arms at the Red Keep in King's Landing under the late Aerys Targaryen and fiercely loyal knight to House Targaryen, realised with a heavy heart that he had failed his duties once again.

Half-blind and only able to walk with a stick, the old man's heart was filled with sorrow, while he lay in the comfortable feather bed on the barge of Braavos' Black Pearl.

The heir of House Targaryen and the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms had died last night, as he had been unable to rein in his hubris and had been foolish enough to wear a sword while walking the streets of Braavos at night, even though the boy could hardly swing the blade.

Willem wished that he had taught Viserys better, been more strict with him, but at the end his own loyalty to his late Queen had held him back from telling the boy the truth and being more harsh with him.

Though it would have been better, the aged knight had realised too late, if he had broken his dead Queen's trust, instead of letting her son and heir die.

The only silver lining in all of this was that the famous courtesan had taken them in and promised them to get help from the Red Temple in healing some of his ailments, which would hopefully give him back some modicum of strength and mobility.

It was a welcome and yet wholly unexpected help, now that Viserys had died.

As all the hope for House Targaryen's rise now lay in the hands of the eight-year-old girl silently crying at his side, which meant that he could not leave this world yet. Viserys had been old enough and could have taken care of himself and the girl after his death, but alone, Daenerys wouldn't survive. At least not well.

The former Master-at-Arms had heard of the Red Priest's magical powers being able to heal all wounds and banishing any sickness, but it didn't come without a price in the Free City of Braavos.

Unlike what he heard of the Blessed Cities, where everyone received treatment from the temples, in the rest of the Free Cities one would have to pay a sizeable sum of money to be healed. And while the sum could be payed off via a loan, the old knight knew that he wouldn't be able to pay them back even then.

The current state of their finances was already very poor and he couldn't add to that burden, knowing that Daenerys would have to pay them back after his demise.

Willem's musings were interrupted as footsteps neared the door to their quarters on the Black Pearl's barge, before the door opened and he could hazily make out the form of Bellegere entering the room.

And just as the elderly knight was about greet the courtesan, he saw her step to the side as a figure made out of pure fire entered the cabin.

Willem Darry might have been old and half-blind, but he had once been the teacher of Rhaegar Targaryen himself, one of the best fighters of the Seven Kingdoms of his time. So even in his weakened and aged state, his mind was still sharp, which was also why he froze in shock and fear, as he realised who he faced.

'He' had come. The Fire Giant. The Living Flame. The God of Volantis and Ruler of the Blessed Cities.

…

Looking up at the fiery figure with tear-stained cheeks, wonder filled Daenerys' eyes. Too young to understand who it was, that stood before her.

Somehow though warmth spread through her aching heart, the meek little girl trusting the blazing man on instinct alone, as she sat up on the bed where the old bear rested.

She didn't flinch back as the figure approached closer and closer, her own hand reaching out to the living fire nearing her.

Gently grasping her own hand and kneeling down before her, the fiery figure's other hand brushed softly over her cheeks and dried her tears, before settling on her head.

Never before had Daenerys felt such comfort and care, as she received from being in front of her, tender joy blooming in her heart.

"W-who are y-you?", she asked quietly, a slight stammer in her tone.

Flames turning into flesh, the little girl looked into eyes as vibrantly violet as her own, as a smooth voice sounded out: "I have many names, little flower. But for you, I am Phenex."

Blushing shyly, the silver-haired girl replied softly: "I am not a flower, I am Daenerys."

"Hmm. Yes, you are much more like a little dragon.", Phenex remarked, a captivating smile on his face, causing Daenerys' blush to deepen a bit, before he questioned gently, "Do you know why I came here, Daenerys?"

Shaking her head in denial, causing her pale silver hair to dance around her head, she kept holding onto the strangely familiar man's hand, holding onto the comfort and warmth it brought her

"I came so that you can smile without worry.", Phenex answered and rose up, as he gently pulled her from her position on the bed while holding her hand softly.

His other hand pointing at the silent old knight, he addressed the shy little girl: "This is my first gift, little dragon. Watch closely."

As if time had been turned back, the former Master-at-Arms suddenly regained his sight, as weakness was banished from his body, translucent flames washing over his form.

His heart was filled with calm and warmth at the sight of fire dancing over his form and vitality returning to his spirit, as he stammered: "B-by the gods … "

"Ser Darry!", Daenerys cried out in joy and surprise at seeing her protector getting better before her eyes, her little hands tightening their grip on Phenex's hand.

The aged knight rising from the bedding without the help of his stick for the first time in years, turned towards the divine being in front of him, as he bowed and said: "Thank you, Lord. This knight will remember the grace of the Lord of Light forever."

Nodding dismissively, Phenex didn't give the old knight any more of his attention, as he had already seen in the man's heart that he was not sincere with his words. The man, though thankful, was only loyal to House Targaryen.

Similarly, Willem Darry may have felt affection for Daenerys, but he wasn't loyal to her or her late brother, but to the noble House they were born into and he would try to point the young girl in the direction of the Iron Throne by all means.

If it wouldn't hurt Daenerys, Phenex may have even killed the man on the spot for planning to manipulate her, just so that she would fight for a throne which was in the end, absolutely worthless.

And so he did something that he had never done since coming to this world, Phenex pressed into the man's mental space and bent his will after his wants.

Transforming his beliefs, so that he wouldn't further interfere with Daenery's chosen path for her own future. He curbed his ambition and left behind nothing but true loyality and care for the little uncrowned Queen.

A moment later he turned to the silver-haired girl by his side and crouched down again, addressing Daenerys fondly: "Have you ever dreamed about dragons, Daenerys?"

Eyes shining with wonder, the small girl answered quietly: "I have. I have dreamed about them a lot."

"Then, would you like to come with me, Daenerys?", Phenex asked the little Targaryen Queen with a smile, as he continued, "To where dragons live."