One by one, the keyholders nodded. The magisters followed. Even the fox-faced man gave a small, reluctant tilt of his head.
A vote was called. Unanimous.
Braavos would test the Dragon Queen. And perhaps, if the winds blew right, profit from her rise.
…
The Westerosi reaction
The throne room of the Red Keep was warm with firelight, though no one seemed comfortable in it. Joffrey Baratheon sat on the Iron Throne, the crown crooked on his head, his boyish face pinched with anger.
Sansa knew how angry the boy king was. She still blamed herself in her heart for getting deceived by the despicable lions. But she was still relieved. Even though the probability of Arya dying outside the Kingslanding was very high, at least she would die without any shame like her.
Sansa was not sure if she would get to see the sun the next day. After what happened with her father she had learnt her lesson. Joffery is nothing more than a rabid animal. There is no telling what he would do with her. Sansa wanted revenge. But she knew that it was impossible. She was afraid. Afraid that something worse than death will happen to her if she dares to defy the rabid animal with the crown on his head.
She did not dare to look at Joffery. Her head remained lower. Thanks to his recent temper tantrum she was barely hiding her shame. Holding her torn dress tightly around her chest. The bastard had tried to undress her in front of the entire court room.
If not for Tywin reminding the animal about the etiquette of the courtroom, he might have ordered his white cloaks to rape her in front of everyone.
Sansa wanted to avoid such fate. She would prefer death over such humiliation. Unfortunately Cersei had made sure that she could not make any attempts on her own life
"Useless!" Joffrey shouted, voice cracking. "The girl hides in my city while my guards stumble about like drunkards !" He waved one thin arm toward Sansa.
For a moment Sansa feared that the rabid animal would start once again. But fortunately another one of her enemies came to save her.
"Enough," Tywin Lannister said, his voice cutting through the air like a drawn blade.
Joffrey froze. Tywin did not shout. He did not need to. The weight of his gaze was heavier than the Iron Throne itself.
"Sit," Tywin said, eyes never leaving his grandson.
For a moment Sansa really doubted if instead of a Lion, Joffery might be a dog. A small dog…
Joffrey's jaw clenched, but he returned to the throne with the petulant air of a child forced to eat his greens.
"Take the girl aside," Tywin told the guards.
To Sansa's relief, the guards did not hold her. Despite the abuse she was not in a state where she could not even walk. So Sansa did not resist and went to a corner of the council chamber where no one would bother with her.
Tywin turned. "Varys. Your report."
The Master of Whisperers stepped forward. His hands were folded like a priest at prayer. "My lord Hand, the matter concerns the east." He spoke plainly.
"Seven moons ago," he said, "we received word from Jorah Mormont. He reported Daenerys dead." The chamber tensed. "That report was false. The birds in Braavos tell another tale."
Cersei straightened. "False? You mean the Dragon spawns are alive ?"
The chamber stilled.
"No, Viserys Targaryen is dead. But Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen lives," Varys continued softly, "and more than lives." Varys paused for a moment.
"My little birds in Braavos sing differently," Varys said. "Not only does she live, Your Grace, but she now styles herself Empress of the Eastern Empire."
"The what?" Joffrey barked.
"A realm," Varys said, "She has forged what the merchants of Braavos now call the Eastern Empire. Not only the Slaver's Bay, but the dark mountain range, the great grass sea, even Vaes Dothrak itself bend the knee. A realm near the size of Westeros, minus the North, under one banner."
"Ridiculous," Cersei snapped. "Slaver's Bay is under the Iron fist control of the Ghiscari masters. The entire world knows this. This must be some kind of joke."
"I am afraid, this is not a joke, Queen Mother." Varys said mildly.
"I have some solid confirmation from Braavos. I had even formally asked one of the key holders of the Iron Bank and many more prominent figures from Qohor and Pentos. Braavos has sent no denial. Nor has Qohor. Nor Pentos. Merchants whisper of columns of smoke, of cities falling in a single day. Some speak of her dragon burning fleets to cinders. Others claim she fights with fire herself, walking through flames unburnt."
Joffrey gave a harsh laugh. "One girl and a pet lizard ? Even if it is true, let her come. I'll mount its head on the gates beside her father's."
Tywin's fingers drummed once on the table. His voice cut through the hum. "Rumor is wind. We act on proof. Varys, you said Jorah's report came seven moons ago. Why the delay in hearing the truth?"
Varys inclined his head. "Jorah's message was believed. He had been wounded, and his plea for pardon seemed earnest. The news from Essos arrives in fragments. Braavos only confirmed the new reality recently. Merchants and the Iron Bank have moved cautiously. But the reports match. Cities were taken, fleets were destroyed, the masters of the bay were removed."
Baelish's eyes glittered. "If Braavos and the Iron Bank are weighing this, it means gold and trade see a new power. That changes markets. It changes loyalties."
"And Dragons and magic ?" Cersei said, sneering. "People in foreign ports whisper of firewalking queens and a Dragon. Will we now tremble at tales spun by seafarers and wine-sellers ?"
The eunuch inclined his head. "Reports name one dragon, black as midnight, large enough to carry her on its back. Rumor claims she has five in total."
"Five?" Pycelle wheezed, clutching at his chain. "Seven save us."
Varys did not flinch. "Some merchants swear they have seen her walk through flame unburned. Others say she cut men from battlements with a blade wreathed in heat. One sellsword claims she alone broke a thousand men atop Meereen's walls. I will not ask you to believe every tavern tale. But the cities fell. The masters were destroyed. Witnesses saw fleets consumed."
"Fires and lies," Cersei replied, but her voice had lost the edge.
"Word also says she has made choices few expected," Varys added quietly. "She spared children under twelve. She erased the masters. Braavos calls it thorough. Others call it ruthless. Either way, the effect is clear. She leaves no open wound for betrayal. She replaces rulers with new orders."
Cersei rolled her eyes. "And imagine pigs flying. Tales for children."
"Children," Varys said softly, "do not take cities in a day."
That shut her up for the moment.
Baelish, who had been silent until now, leaned forward with his fox's smile. "And what of these tales of magic, Lord Varys? Shadows walking, flames obeying her will?"
Murmurs rippled through the gathered lords.
…
Next chapter: The Westerosi reaction II
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