chapter 198 part 1
Chapter 198: Fire and Blood, Part 6
Daenerys Targaryen's fingers traced the rim of her teacup. After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "Ser, how many more people do we need?"
Jorah Mormont replied in a deep voice, "Princess Daenerys, we need at least thirty to forty more people."
Knowing the approximate number of men required, the silver-haired princess was decisive. "Ser Jorah, I authorize you to hire fifty men directly. When you are selecting them, please exclude anyone who might cause trouble. What this city needs most is stability."
Ser Jorah placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head. "As you command, my princess."
Daenerys nodded gently. Just as she was about to ask about the tourney, Dik hurried into the room.
Dik first bowed to the silver-haired princess, then glanced at Ser Jorah, his eyes habitually darting about.
Daenerys looked at Dik, whose mannerisms were just like a thief's. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "Clever Dik, where is my brother?"
Dik glanced again at the tall, sturdy Jorah, seemingly hesitant to speak.
Daenerys shook her head with a smile. "Dik, everyone here is someone I trust. It's alright."
Ser Jorah nodded slightly and stepped to one side, his dark eyes fixed on Dik.
"Your Highness," Dik began, "Prince Viserys is meeting with several sellsword captains."
Daenerys's eyebrows raised slightly. "Sellswords?"
Daenerys was surprised. Why would her brother, the king, be willing to personally meet with 'lowly' sellswords? The action was both sudden and strange.
Dik replied cautiously, "Your Highness, His Grace plans to hire some sellswords as his personal guards."
Daenerys's violet eyes flickered. She exchanged a look with Ser Jorah before speaking to Dik. "Dik, a sellsword's loyalty must be bought with golden dragons. Does my brother have enough?"
The Usurper in King's Landing had a high price on their heads, and sellswords had never cared for honor. Did Viserys not realize how dangerous this was?
Dik leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, His Grace ordered me to find out where you've put your three dragon eggs."
Ser Jorah snorted softly. "He asked me about that a few days ago, too."
Daenerys said in disbelief, "What does my brother want to do? Could he be..."
Ser Jorah said coldly, "I think our prince wants to steal your eggs."
Dik looked at the stunned, silver-haired princess and nodded heavily, confirming that Ser Jorah's suspicion was correct.
Daenerys was too shocked to speak. After a moment, she managed, "They are just a few stones. Why would my brother want them?"
"Princess Daenerys," Ser Jorah explained, "rubies, diamonds, and opals are also just stones, but petrified dragon eggs are far rarer. With three dragon eggs, Viserys... His Grace can hire a great many sellswords."
Daenerys had never really thought about the value of the dragon eggs. She recalled the moment she received them. Who was that person? Why would he send her such a precious gift?
"But Viserys is the true heir to the Iron Throne..." It was hard for Daenerys to hide the hurt on her small face. "He's my brother. Viserys could have just asked me. Why choose to do it this way? I'm his own sister..."
Seeing Daenerys's sorrow, Jorah's heart ached. But for the princess's safety, some things still had to be said.
"Princess Daenerys, forgive my bluntness, but if you give the eggs to Prince Viserys now, he will fly into a rage out of shame. He would see your generosity as charity."
Daenerys's good mood had vanished. "Even so," she said wearily, "that would be better than him stealing the eggs behind my back."
"Perhaps," Ser Jorah said mockingly, "doing it this way allows him to deceive himself."
Her brother's distrust always stung Daenerys's sensitive heart. She had told herself not to cry so easily in front of others, but at this moment, she couldn't stop her eyes from growing hot.
After a long moment, Daenerys regained her composure. She had once again conquered her emotions. She told herself that she was of the blood of the dragon, and she would not cry like a coward.
Daenerys spoke slowly, "Dik, find a suitable opportunity to tell our King Viserys..."
She paused, then continued, "...that you overheard those sellswords discussing how much money the Usurper is offering for our heads."
For once, Dik's expression was solemn. He bowed his head to accept the order.
The corners of Ser Jorah's lips curved upward slightly. He bowed. "Allow me to praise your wisdom, Princess Daenerys."
Daenerys forced a smile and waved her hand, dismissing Dik.
After Dik had gone, Daenerys slowly rose. Her small, well-proportioned figure moved to the window, and she gazed up at the sky outside.
Ser Jorah stood silently behind the silver-haired princess.
After a moment of silence, Daenerys's eyelashes fluttered. She said softly, "He told me what the game of thrones is. I asked him why he told me such things. He replied that only by understanding them could I better protect myself. Or... when I encounter a terrible situation, I'll at least have another choice."
Ser Jorah gazed at the silver-haired princess's captivating back. "He is a wise man."
Hearing this, Daenerys chuckled. "He is a fake wildling."
She murmured, "He is strong and kind..."
As she spoke, Daenerys reached a hand out the window. Her fair, smooth skin was dazzling in the sunlight. She continued, "He lets me sleep peacefully... lets me laugh without a care... In my most desperate hour... he gave me hope..."
A gentle breeze drifted past, and the silver-haired princess's soft voice seemed to float on the wind.
Glynn crabbe? She was in love with him... Ser Jorah's eyelids trembled, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.
The love buried deep in his heart suddenly surged forth. Ser Jorah dropped to one knee. He didn't know why he was doing it; at that moment, he could think of nothing else.