章 388: Chapter 389: The Arrival of the Unsullied
The sun dipped low in the western sky, casting shimmering gold across the southern seas near Storm's End.
Samwell stood at the harbor, his gaze fixed on a dark speck in the distance that gradually grew larger until the black dragon, Drogon, came into full view.
Trailing behind Drogon was a smaller, green tail—Rhaegal.
The white dragon, Cleopatra, was far more composed, sitting quietly behind Samwell. Upon seeing her younger kin circling wildly in the skies, she snorted two puffs of hot air, seemingly disapproving of their juvenile antics.
Drogon circled over the harbor a few times before diving down, landing beside Samwell.
Rhaegal attempted to land on Cleopatra's back, only to be swatted off by a swift lash of her tail.
"Sam! I saw the fleet!" Daenerys leapt down from Drogon's back, her face glowing with excitement.
Samwell rushed to catch her, a note of reproach in his voice:
"You need to be more careful! You're pregnant—you shouldn't be jumping around like that."
"I know, I know," Daenerys replied, wrapping her arms around his neck with a playful smile. She kissed him tenderly, brushing aside his concerns.
After a moment of closeness, Samwell set her down gently. By then, the fleet was already visible on the eastern horizon—a massive convoy carrying the Unsullied army. After nearly three months of arduous travel across half the world from Slaver's Bay, they had finally reached Westeros.
Samwell had long awaited their arrival.
The Caesar family's meteoric rise meant they lacked deep foundations. Their swift success relied heavily on Samwell's personal strength and his dragons to secure the allegiance of Stormlands and Reach.
Yet the glaring weakness of limited direct military power lingered, forcing Samwell to employ tricks like nightshade-laced drinks and illusions to sway some decisions.
Now, with the Unsullied reinforcing his ranks, Samwell's confidence soared. He felt more assured about his plans to conquer King's Landing.
As the fleet drew closer, the gale winds of the Narrow Sea carried the ships swiftly into the port. Over a hundred large ships filled the water, forcing the Stormlands fleet to withdraw temporarily to make room.
At the fleet's forefront, three great ships bore golden names emblazoned on their sides: Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes.
Three centuries earlier, House Targaryen's Conquerors had brought three dragons to Westeros. Today, ships bearing their names sailed into the harbor of Storm's End.
Cheers erupted from the crowd gathered on the docks:
"Long live the Storm King!"
"Long live Caesar!"
"Long live the dragons!"
Cleopatra seemed emboldened by the crowd's energy, spreading her massive wings and stirring up a cloud of ash and dust. Drogon and Rhaegal followed suit, their wingbeats creating fiery gusts that forced the spectators to step back in awe.
Nestled safely in her husband's arms, Daenerys smiled as her flowing gown billowed in the warm gusts, accentuating her graceful figure.
On the deck of the flagship Balerion, Ser Barristan Selmy gazed at the three dragons. His voice carried a tone of amazement:
"The dragons have grown again, especially Cleopatra. She's enormous."
Jorah Mormont, standing beside him, squinted at Cleopatra's massive wings, nearly as large as a ship's sails.
"Did the Targaryen dragons ever grow this fast?" he asked.
"No," Barristan replied, shaking his head as his white beard swayed in the sea breeze. "A dragon of that size would typically take three or four decades to mature. Cleopatra… she's barely three years old."
"Three years?" Jorah's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Yes. Three years ago, Caesar hatched the dragons in Skyreach. Hundreds of Reach soldiers witnessed it themselves." Barristan's voice grew quieter, tinged with awe. "Perhaps… Caesar truly is a chosen one."
Jorah opened his mouth to argue but hesitated, unsure what to say. As Balerion drew closer to the dock, his gaze fell upon Daenerys in Caesar's arms, and his heart ached with silent longing.
Once the ship docked, Barristan and Jorah descended the gangplank and approached Daenerys. They knelt on one knee.
"Your Grace," Jorah said, "we have returned with your army and your khalasar."
"You should call me Your Majesty, the Queen," Daenerys corrected, a playful smile on her lips. She gestured to Samwell beside her. "This is your king now."
Meanwhile, Ser Katu and Grey Worm also disembarked. Without hesitation, they approached Samwell, bowing in deference.
Though Barristan hesitated briefly, he, too, knelt before Samwell. Jorah, after a moment of visible struggle, reluctantly followed suit.
"Welcome back," Samwell said warmly, helping the four to their feet. "Was the journey smooth?"
"Relatively, Your Majesty," Katu reported. "We did encounter a strange red storm near Valyria, filled with ash and the stench of sulfur. Two ships, Sea Beast and Dread, collided in the chaos. Most of the crew was rescued, but we lost four Unsullied and eight sailors."
"How dreadful," Daenerys said with sorrow. "I've heard Valyria is cursed, that no living soul can survive near it."
Barristan nodded gravely.
"We took great care to steer clear of the crimson-tinged waters, yet we still faced the storm's wrath."
"I'm glad you all made it," Samwell reassured. "Rest for a week—there's a major battle ahead."
Barristan and Jorah exchanged a meaningful look, while Katu's eyes lit up with excitement. As a warrior born, he relished the prospect of glory in battle. Grey Worm, ever stoic, simply awaited his orders.
Returning to Storm's End, Samwell was approached by Gavin Mander, who handed him a sealed letter.
"Your Majesty, this came from Yronwood."
Samwell opened it quickly, a smile spreading across his face as he read.
"Arianne Martell has surrendered."
Daenerys beamed.
"That's excellent news! It seems the Martells aren't as unyielding as their words claim."
"With their water and land routes cut off, they had no choice," Gavin explained. "If they didn't surrender, Sunspear would've faced famine. With Dorne subdued, there's no risk to our rear as we march on King's Landing."
Samwell's smile faded as he grew thoughtful.
"I'll need to go to Dorne and tie up some loose ends. Continue preparing for the army to gather at Bronze gate as planned. Gavin, you'll oversee Storm's End's preparations."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Dany," Samwell turned to his wife, "while I'm in Dorne, I need you to oversee things at Bronze gate. My father will handle the military matters; you'll represent me in dealing with the lords and knights."
"Of course," Daenerys agreed. "Will you return before the campaign begins?"
"Without a doubt," he promised, kissing her forehead. "The army needs at least a month to assemble. That gives me plenty of time."
Before departing, Samwell returned to his study to write a letter to Nathalie Dayne in Starfall, entrusting its delivery to Maester Qyburn's ravens.
Later, he visited Margaery, who was nursing their newborn son. She greeted him with a warm smile.
"Did the fleet arrive safely?"
"Yes. Two ships were lost to a storm, but most of the crew survived."
"That's good."
Samwell reached out to playfully squeeze his son's tiny hand. Octavian grasped his father's finger with surprising strength.
"He's got quite the grip," Samwell remarked with pride.
"All that practice clutching his dragon egg," Margaery teased with a laugh.
They both glanced at the red-veined dragon egg nestled in Octavian's crib. Warmth radiated faintly from its surface.
"Do you think it will hatch soon?" Margaery asked.
"In time," Samwell assured her.
As the egg lay quietly beside their child, it seemed to pulse with a life of its own, as if awaiting the right moment to awaken.
"By the way, the Martell's has surrendered. I need to go to Dorne," Samwell said.
"Okay, be careful," Margaery advised, then asked, "What about Bronze Gate? Is the plan to gather the army still going ahead as scheduled?"
"Of course, it's still going ahead. With my father in charge, there won't be any issues on the military front. Additionally, I've asked Dany to represent me in receiving those noble knights."
Margaery thought for a moment and suggested, "Why don't I go too? Dany has just arrived in Westeros and isn't familiar with those nobles. It would be better if I were there to support her."
"You just gave birth; don't you need to rest? And what about Octavius? Are you going to bring him along too? Bronze Gate is about to become the front line, which will be dangerous"
"I'm not that fragile." Seeing her husband's frown, Margaery smiled and reassured him, "Octavian is the same. Besides, Bronze Gate isn't exactly the front lines. The Lannisters wouldn't dare cross the Blackwater River; we won't be in any danger."
Samwell pondered for a moment before nodding and saying, "Alright, then you can go to Bronze Gate, but don't go any further north."
"I know."
(End of Chapter)
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