The Greedy Frog
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Hey, I Ruin Stories! Chapter 34
🕑 Added 2024-05-27 18:53:20 +0000 UTCChapter 34: Quieting Qarth (½)
[Three Days Later — Qarth]
{Jorah Mormont}
This place was awfully perfect.
“Please, do enjoy the food and the drinks. They have been personally prepared by our best cooks, and most of the drinks are unique to Qarth.”
Blood-red wine, a bitter taste yet a sweet aftertaste—something that felt the total opposite of any other drink I had previously tasted.
The scent was subtle and comforting, and the food exotic.
“I shall,” The Khaleesi seemed to relish the food and the luxury provided. They didn't mind splurging on the guests and certainly paid a lot of attention to her. “I appreciate what you are doing for us.”
Xaro Xhaon Daxos, a wealthy and influential merchant no less than a king with the highest authority—he was the one hosting the event, providing for us.
However…
There was something weird about him.
“If you wish, I will personally show you around Qarth.” He was a little too hospitable. “There is quite a lot in Qarth that you would love to see.”
“Oh, I don't doubt that. And I would love to take you up on that offer.”
It was not my place to intervene, but I had a certain feeling that told me this was a little suspicious.
He was being too kind to us, and while there are people with such kind hearts—it is very unlikely that a wealthy and politically influential merchant would be this welcoming without a price.
“You feel the same, don’t you?” My voice was low, a whisper heard only by the man next to me.
He leaned against a table, not drinking or eating anything presented. Instead, he was looking around, more examining than enjoying the beauty of Qartheen architecture.
“A rich man, a powerful man in a city built on the trade of slaves…” He stared at Xaro, “Of course, they are the kindest and most pure-hearted hosts.”
Sarcasm.
He felt the same as me, yet I could see that he had something in mind—some sort of plan, just unsure of what it was.
It was difficult to understand sorcerers, and it was especially difficult to understand him.
“Do you think there will be trouble?” I had a horrendous feeling about it.
“Qarth…” He muttered, “I will handle it. It might be a little fun for me too.”
Fun.
He was plotting something, and it certainly was something dangerous. But then again, he was a sorcerer, and they are more dangerous than the man hosting the party.
Yet…
Just as I thought the host was the most troublesome, another person arrived.
And this person had my hair standing and skin crawling.
“The city is open for you, Mother of Dragons.”
A bald man, frail-looking with wrinkly skin and bluish-purple lips, as if bruised—walked towards her.
“Do take them to the House of Undying, and we shall be honored to receive them there.” The man said that to Xaro, and the most powerful man in the city nodded as if following a command.
The Khaleesi had the same thought as most of our men present.
“And you are…”
The one to answer was not the bald man, but the host of the event.
“He is Pyat Pree, one of the head warlocks of Qarth.”
A warlock… My senses were right, it was a troublesome man.
“A mere man of magic,” The bald man added, “who will be grateful to serve you at the House of Undying.”
I just couldn't answer on her behalf, I couldn't make decisions on her behalf—but I most certainly had to warn her. The man was trouble, I could sense it right from here.
And my suspicion proved right when our very sorcerer, Darius, affirmed.
“He is trouble.” He took a glass from the table and cleaned it thoroughly with water created by his magic. “His magic is sinister, harmful.”
“Dark Sorcerer? Like necromancers and flesh magicians?”
He shook his head. “Nothing of that sort.”
Then? I wanted to ask, but he shook his head, filled water in the glass created by magic, and walked away.
Looks like I won't be getting an answer from him. But it was my responsibility to keep the Khaleesi safe, and even if I had to do it on my own—I would keep watch for her.
…
…
[Minutes Later — Outside the Open Halls]
The glasses were poisoned. Not the kind that killed you, but the type that weakened your magic and slowed your reaction speed.
For most, it meant nothing, but it was a precaution taken for the warriors and sorcerers who frequented this place.
I doubted they knew I was a sorcerer, unless someone from the girl’s group revealed it—which seemed unlikely. Without that knowledge, there was no reason for them to prepare such a thing.
They certainly weren't merely trying to keep the visitors weak to prevent raids and surprise attacks on the city; it was some sort of ploy.
But it didn't matter.
I could sense the poison the moment my hand touched the glass. The Magic of Anatomy allowed me to detect anything harmful before consuming it.
While it wouldn't have affected me much as I could simply expel it from my body, it was still an experience I preferred to avoid.
“But this place.”
“You.”
Someone had followed me.
“You should be at the party. It's not wise to wander around here alone—you might get lost.”
By the devil, these sorcerers all looked the same.
Bald, blue-lipped, and ugly.
“I was just getting some fresh air. It's quite crowded in there.”
“I still insist that you enjoy the food and drinks in there.”
Oh, what's this?
“Oh, I would do that.” I walked towards him, which made him smile.
“But I suppose you could have said that without trying to pry into my mind.”
“How—”
I could have killed him right there. My fingers were around his neck, lifting him from the ground, his feet dangling in the air.
“I do not appreciate people trying to tamper with my mind.”
“R-Release m-me—”
My grip tightened around his neck, choking him and turning his face the same shade as his lips.
Blue.
“I might, if you tell me what all this is about.”
“I-It's nothing.”
“Wrong answer.”
He struggled in my grip. Most sorcerers, whether from here or back at Hogwarts, were ridiculously weak when it came to physical strength.
And this man? He was worse. Frail, unable to break free of my grip of just one hand.
“T-They just w-w-want you inside!”
He struggled to breathe.
“T-T-They hope to win your favor!”
“Why?”
“B-Because she is the Khaleesi, mother of dragons!”
This idiot…
“I-I apologize for using m-magic on y-you.”
He huffed heavily as I released him from my grip.
“I d-did not k-know that y-you too were a sorcerer.”
“Well, now you do.” I squatted down a little, meeting his gaze as he sat on the ground, his hands around his neck. “What is the true reason you have been so interested in her?”
“I already tol—”
Then his eyes widened, pupils dilated, his face frozen.
“Tell me.”
“The Warlocks of Qarth want to obtain her dragons, and Xaro is lusting after her body.”
Guessed as much.
“And how do they plan on doing that?”
“By Xaro offering a marriage between him and her, and the Warlocks want her to visit the House of Undying as it is controlled by us, and anyone who visits it gets trapped in our illusions.”
“And what else?”
“That's all.” He said, getting up with wobbly legs.
How… simple?
“Very well. I should go inside—shouldn’t I?”
His pupils contracted.
“Huh? You should be inside? Why are you here?”
“I was just taking in some air. I'm going back now.”
He seemed confused, scratching his bald head and staring at me.
“Just… go inside.” He said, perplexed, eyes flicking to his dirty trousers.
“Have a good day.”
Warlocks.
That's what they called themselves, and I must admit… Warlock sounds much better than magician, wizard, or sorcerer.
Anyhow, let's see how this plays out.
…
…
[The Next Day — Guest Houses of Qarth]
{Jorah Mormont}
“It is not as smart as you think, Khaleesi.”
Oh, I knew the moment that man invited her to his place that he had something up his sleeve.
But I did not expect how manipulative he was.
And considering the Khaleesi’s age, she was easily influenced.
“He says he will provide us with all the ships, men, and support we need to return to Westeros.” She sounded hopeful—determined even.
“We need a ship, your grace.” The man was dangerous. “We do not need a dozen ships; we need one ship to help us cross the Narrow Sea.”
“What about the men then?” She was desperate; she had only one thought in her head and that blinded her to everything else.
“Men under the command of another, loyal to another, can never truly be men to fight for your cause, Khaleesi. You need men that you win over, that follow you and not him.” The man had planted a seed in her mind with just one day’s worth of time. “You need to gather men on your own, not under or with him.”
Her hands were clenched.
“I… see.”
She wasn't convinced. But I couldn't just let her fall into an obvious trap.
“We may instead buy slaves, warriors, and have them trust us enough to never betray and fight for your cause.”
This made her frown. “We don't possess nearly enough to be able to negotiate or buy.”
“For the moment. We can always gather enough money.”
It would take a bit of convincing.
And thankfully for me, another man that shared the same thoughts as I just walked in.
“I apologize for speaking in this manner,” It was Darius, the sorcerer companion. “But I believe Ser Jorah is right. By marrying him, you are not forming an alliance but submitting yourself to him. It does nothing to your cause; instead, it ties you to an unknown man.”
“I… see.”
“But don't be too worried, we can always trade something for the ship and possibly even the men.” His words drew my query too.
“Such as?”
He smiled at my question.
“Let me handle that part.”
His smile sure was convincing, but was it wise to let him deal with this mess?
Maybe not, but we didn't have much choice.
And I would rather trust the man that has been traveling with us for over a month and looking after our food and supplies than a man that was most certainly lusting after the Khaleesi.
“And the council of theirs is asking for our presence.”
“For?” She asked, and I wondered the same.
“Possibly to discuss the marriage and some other ploys. Just don't fall for anything they say.”
“We will discuss among ourselves first before making any decision, Khaleesi.” I had to explain to her. “We will not make any immediate decision there.”
Darius agreed with me and nodded while the Khaleesi was reluctant but ultimately agreed too.
“The Dothraki want to leave this place.” She exhaled, “As much as this place is luxurious, they are reluctant to stay stuck here.”
They were nomads and warriors; rarely did such men stay in one place.
“The bloodriders are much more understanding, but the fact remains.” She exhaled deeply. “You too are correct. We cannot be tied to this place for much longer. We need to take what we need and then leave.”
She looked at Darius, a bit of hope visible in her eyes.
“I trust you have a plan? A way for us to get those things.”
I too had a bit of hope, expectations given how confident he sounded. But if he didn't have a plan, I was also prepared to deal with them.
“I do.”
Even if everything else failed, my sword still remained.
And there is nothing more loyal than a sword to a warrior.
…
…
[Sometime Later — Council of Qarth]
I am not joking when I say this, but all these warlocks are copies of one another. Everything about them, from dress, lack of hair, and blue lips to the way they talk and move—everything is the same.
Everything in perfect unison.
“I thank you for agreeing to this meeting, but I still have to ask you to forgive us. We just cannot sell our ships and men to you.”
Daenerys was agitated hearing this, but I had her promise not to interfere when I was dealing with them.
“I assure you that I can make it worth your while to trade with us.”
Xaro shook his head. “Money is something we have in abundance, so we cannot simply trade ships and men for just some money. If it is men you need for simple work, we are more than happy to provide. But warriors… warriors are not something we can sell for money.”
“Especially not in the quantity that you require, Mother of Dragons.” Pyat Pree, the warlock who seemingly had more power than the rest, chimed in. “So, you will have to forgive us for that.”
Of course, I saw what they were planning. They were prepared to propose a trade for the army and ships for something specific.
But their ultimate goal was the same, and that didn't sit well with me.
They were prepared to bargain an army and ships for her dragon, yes, just one. That's what those two were thinking.
Yet it was only a show.
A way to reduce suspicion for what they had done, which Daenerys and Jorah were still unaware of.
“What if I say that it is not money I am willing to trade, but something much more valuable that you can never buy with money.”
Xaro sighed, “I doubt you ca—”
“Magic.” I finally had them go silent. “Such as—”
I extended my palm, freezing them on the spot.
“This.”
A fire sprouted in my palm, drawing everyone’s attention—especially the warlocks.
Fire turned to water, then ice, then air and electricity.
“Elemental magic…” Pyat Pree had his eyes fixated on my palm. “How? How can you use elemental magic?”
`There is no magical presence on him! How!`
His mind was screaming at him.
`He is dangerous! Or he is playing tricks!`
From what I had learned, magic exists on different levels in this world. Some can even mess with reality to some extent and cause disasters.
But most were simply capable of doing simple things, and from what I knew—these people had something different and a bit of unique magic.
Not the strongest, but certainly effective.
“You are a sorcerer?” Even Xaro was shocked. “Why didn't you tell us before?”
“I just didn't see how that would have changed anything.” I got rid of the cackling thunder in my hand and focused on them. “But now it does help, so how about I present you with something that will be enough for the ships and the men that we need?”
This time, they were more than willing to listen.
“I know how much knowledge means to us sorcerers, and how rarely we reveal anything of our magic.”
My words had Pyat Pree shaking in his seat, excited and aware of what I was insinuating.
“So…” I placed my finger on the top of the table, and in a second, a small plant grew over it—no soil, no water—without anything it appeared. “I am willing to share a portion of my knowledge, ones that I bring from Ulthos and are more valuable than the lives of the ten thousand men we ask for.”
Xaro was still contemplating, while Pyat Pree had seemingly already made up his mind. He was practically drooling at the suggestion.
“We—”
But just as he was about to agree, something unexpected—not really—happened.
“Khaleesi!”
One of Daenerys' handmaids came rushing in, uninvited.
But before anyone could say a word or scold her, she said something that had most people in the room speechless alongside a very salty warlock.
“The dragon—the dragons have gone missing!”
`Darn this woman!`
Not her fault, Pyat Pree, not her fault.
It's your fault for stealing the dragons before I made an offer.
Well…
Not like he was ever going to get what I promised.
After all…
Darius Safar is no man of his word.
______________________________________________________________________________
[A/N: Since George writes ASOIAF through the POV of multiple people with no concrete MC to be fair (Jon and Dany are protagonists but not exactly the MC even till now) and thus some parts take ages to complete. Even in the show, Qarth pretty much took the entirety of season 2 to complete.
But since we do have one MC, we do not have to be stuck in Qarth for 20 chapters and so 2 is all we need.
P.S. MC’s past was tough, and so he is pretty much blind to most of the popular shows that came out after he turned like 16-17. And that means GOT being made into a show quite late meant he is blind to it. And that means even tho the books came out ages ago, he did not read them.
P.P.S. Of course, he can spam mind arts to make everyone do his bidding, but why would he? That is no fun and that does not cause the chaos that he needs.]]
