"Ambition stems from the need to be sothing more, which has driven humanity since its beginnings. But at what cost? I will remake this society in my image, so that they will worship as their god and emperor. Aenar Targaryen, God-Emperor of the Planets.
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Sixth moon of the year 294 A.C.
Essos - Free City of Volantis.
Looking out over the city from the balcony of the Great Red Temple, Daenerys couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. The whole city seed quieter than usual. The reason was simple. Volantis was about to be attacked by the greatest Khalasar in the Dothraki Sea.
Forty thousand n on horseback, led by Khal Drogo, the Khal who never lost a battle.
Though she wasn't as interested in military matters as Visenya, she still knew the basics, but Daenerys didn't know how a nomadic tribe could et the demand for so many n and horses. From her lessons with her sister Visenya, she knew that the foundation of any war was logistics.
Without logistics, the battle couldn't even take place, and even if it did, it wouldn't last more than three days. How can you fight without food, steel, and swords?
So, unlike the townspeople who were afraid, she wasn't afraid that even if there was an attack, the Dothraki couldn't withstand a war of resistance or a siege.
Besides, Volantis had an army of thirty-five thousand n in plate armor, making it one of the most powerful armies in Essos at the mont. Aside from horses, the other side had no armor and no swords capable of piercing armor.
What could light cavalry like the Dothraki do against heavy infantry other than run away?
Looking back into her room, Daenerys' lilac eyes fell on the three dragon eggs on the mantelpiece. She still hadn't managed to get the eggs to hatch, as her nephew had apparently said.
Nephew...
She still rembered her mother's expression of disbelief upon hearing of Aenar's existence, the impact so great that the Queen of Westeros almost fainted from shock.
Soon followed by a cry she never thought she would see her noble, strong mother cry in front of her. However, it was the first ti Daenerys had seen her mother so happy.
Daenerys didn't know what to feel for this sweet nephew she'd never t other than gratitude and happiness. The last year and a half had been the happiest of her life; only soone who'd never had a safe ho knows what it's like to live in fear of waking up to beco a slave.
Her nephew didn't know it, but he had made life better for her and the whole family. They had a chance to change and beco stronger so that in the future they could help as much as possible and not just be a burden to her nephew when the ti ca.
Still, even though she had never seen him or even known what he looked like, Daenerys had great affection for her nephew. A boy she had never t, but who for four years had commanded the Red Faith to seek out and protect her and her family.
In her eyes, Aenar was no different than the Prince Charming from an epic book from the Age of Heroes.
"He might as well have told how to hatch the eggs." Daenerys looked at the three eggs in the fireplace and muttered to herself, puffing out her cheeks adorably.
The tense atmosphere of the whole city didn't seem to bother the eleven, almost twelve year old. She had lived through too many murders to feel nervous at every mont of danger.
While Daenerys was watching the dragon eggs and thinking of a way to hatch them, the bedroom door opened and a girl of about six years old entered the room.
She had a round, flat face, dark skin, and eyes like molten gold, the typical features of the people of Naath. The girl wore a red robe, typical of the Red Faith, and looked very adorable.
"Princess." Missandei spoke, her voice sweet and lodious.
Daenerys turned to the girl and smiled. "Have you co to eat lemon tart with again?" She asked in an amused tone.
The Dragon Princess had t this young woman at the Great Red Temple months ago, and since then the two had been almost inseparable, Daenerys finally having her first true friend.
Missandei's cheeks took on a faint blush at the ntion of the lemon tart; she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole with the sha she felt at the mont. Although she was indeed greedy for the tart, she had co with another purpose, by order of the Reverend Mother.
"Princess, the Reverend Mother has requested your presence in her solar." Missandei said in a very respectful tone.
"Call Dany." Nudging her cheek, the dragon princess spoke in a strong, unquestioning voice.
"But you are a princess." Missandei muttered to herself.
"Are you going to disobey ? A week without lemon tart." Daenerys flashed a wicked smile and threatened the six-year-old girl without hesitation!
Missandei's face showed an expression of struggle; her brothers had specifically reminded her to be respectful of Daenerys and her family, but the thought of living without lemon treats was worse than death to her.
Seeing the struggle in her expression, Daenerys' gaze softened and she spoke, embracing the girl. "You don't have to call Dany in front of people, but call Dany when we're alone."
The fighting look on Missandei's face was improved by Daenerys' words, she nodded and spoke in her sweet voice: "Dany. Daenerys' smile widened as she heard this, and she followed the girl out of the room and toward the Reverend Mother's Solar.
As she walked through the corridors, Daenerys noticed the guards, servants, red priestesses, and others looking at her with respect and awe. But she knew their respect was not for her, but for her nephew. Their ssiah, the Prophet who would lead them through the Long Night.
The Son of Light.
Honestly, she felt a sincere fear towards so of these people, they didn't treat her like a human, but almost like a goddess. At that mont, one of the n kneeled down with his forehead touching the ground, prostrating himself before her.
If she felt like that, she couldn't imagine what her sweet nephew felt in front of these people, for these fanatics, he was their God and ssiah.
Arriving at the Reverend Mother's Solar, Daenerys entered with Missandei. As soon as she entered, she saw that her mother and sister had already arrived. Both were dressed as a queen and a princess. At the sa ti, Ser Willem, who was already old, was wearing white armor with a white cloak over his shoulders.
Daenerys knew that this was the armor worn only by the Kingsguard. The mont Ser Willem earned that armor, she saw the man beco emotional for the first ti in years.
Ser Willem had never been a Kingsguard, he was the Master-at-Arms of the Red Keep, but she knew the man had a dream of becoming a mber of the Kingsguard, just like many boys in Westeros.
"Mother, Sister, Ser Willem, Reverend Mother." Daenerys greeted everyone with a sweet, cheerful smile, making the atmosphere more relaxed, sothing she found she could do when things were too tense.
Rhaella gestured for her daughter to sit next to her and looked at Reverend Mother. "What do you wish to discuss, Lady Kinvara?"
"Khal Drogo has the support of Braavos and other free cities to attack Volantis." Kinvara took a sip of wine and spoke in a calm tone, but the words made the previously relaxed atmosphere tense in an instant.
Kinvara continued, her expression unchanged in the face of such a dangerous situation. "The expansion of the Red Faith in these five years has made the Free Cities cautious. The massive growth of the Fiery Hand hasn't helped either, making the Free Cities unable to stand by and watch our power grow."
"Are we talking about supporting with soldiers or just supporting with logistics?" Visenya asked, asking exactly what the problem was. Both options were bad news for the Volatins.
If it was just logistical support, Volantis could retreat to the city and start a battle in the city. The Dothraki horses would be useless in the narrow streets of the city. Even blocking the streets with wooden stakes could prevent enemy troops from advancing.
But if it's support with soldiers, that ans the Free Cities have sent soldiers as well as logistical support. Which was bad news, since infantry could enter the city more easily than Dothraki cavalry.
"But since you're so calm, it looks like Volantis has a hidden trump card." Visenya finished, looking deeply at Kinvara.
Kinvara looked at the eighteen-year-old girl with a hint of admiration. "As the princess said, the Emperor's daughters have reported that the Free Cities have sent soldiers with a large amount of logistics. Enough supplies to sustain an army of hundreds of thousands for months. Fortunately, there weren't a hundred thousand n on the other side, only about fifty to sixty thousand n."
"And how are we supposed to stop sixty thousand n?" Rhaella asked with a slightly helpless expression.
Kinvara's next words, however, caused Rhaella's eyes and those of everyone else in the room to widen in shock.
"The Son of Light will co to Essos to destroy the army of sinners; his fire will purify the heretics and infidels."
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