章節 44: Chapter 43
Daenerys Targaryen. The Plains.
When the Khalasar made a stop and set up camp, I decided to visit my teacher while Drogo practiced with his men. Fina, on the other hand, followed me and was my only servant, though my... husband... wanted more. But I managed to assure him that I didn't need more.
Despite her pretty appearance, which most men in the Seven Kingdoms would fall for, Fina was... indifferent and sometimes downright creepy. No, she was good at her job and provided me with everything I needed, but her facial expression rarely changed.
I still remember how, the day after my first wedding night, she came in and practically forced me to listen to her talk about how to make... love... I mean, Fina, with a completely impenetrable face and no hint of embarrassment or shame, went into great detail about what men liked and how to satisfy them to the best of her ability.
She thoroughly described every position she knew, what kind of face I should make during coitus, what to focus a man's attention on, and even made me undress and demonstrate the material I had heard in practice, or more precisely, on myself.
In other words, while I was sitting on her undressed and trying to show what I had learned, Fina, lying on the bed with a stoic expression on her face, looking like a lifeless doll, was instructing and correcting me, not the least bit embarrassed by what was going on.
It was as if she had been replaced, because I clearly remember her expressing a variety of emotions. That scream and the look on my brother's face that frightened even me, or when she received praise from Lord Solomon. Really, only from him.
Being a "Khaleesi" on the other hand, the wife of a Khal, was... unusual. It is not customary here for a lady to be a... "lady"... Something similar, but still. The Dothraki are more liberated, more plain and simple than the lords of the Seven Kingdoms, or rather all of their inhabitants. Intrigue, conspiracies, trickery, and the like simply do not exist here. And it's not that it's unusual to me, but rather unaccustomed.
While the women attend to the daily needs of the Khalasar, that is, sewing clothes, cooking, warming the bed, and so on, the men were not much different from what I was used to, only the methods were rougher. I had already expected something like this when I had studied the texts on the Dothraki, but "reading" and "seeing" are different things.
With these thoughts in my head, I reached the tent of the teacher and Shiro, and then went inside. It wasn't different from my other tents, but it had a kind of atmosphere that reminded me of a castle full of dangers. And because of that, no one came in here except me, Fina and the teacher and Shiro themselves, except on very rare occasions.
The teacher was sitting inside drinking wine and thinking about something, judging by her face, and Shiro was reading a book. They looked like they were the queen and her counselor, consort and bodyguard all in one person, though, that's just the way it was.
- Hmm? What an interesting guest," the teacher looked up at me and smiled haughtily, "Are you ready to resume class, girl?
I grimaced involuntarily.
I'd forgotten all about them. My classes had stopped since the wedding. Or rather, I thought so because of the circumstances. Besides, the teacher and Shiro hadn't commented on my absence and visits, so the classes had slipped my mind. But I guess I was allowed to think that way.
- I guess you just forgot about them, didn't you? - I think I taught you to keep your head up, or am I wrong?
- I'm sorr… Yes, you did. Thank you for pointing out my mistake, Master. - I wanted to apologize, but then I remembered the class.
- Well, at least you remembered something. That's good," I nodded, "Why are you here?
- You're too rude, Semi," Shiro said in a soft voice, "Maybe she just came to check on us. After all, it's been a while since we've talked to each other.
- Is that so? - The teacher asked and looked at me, to which I nodded. However, I was wrong to think that her question was addressed to me, because Fina spoke.
-The princess thinks so, though in reality, she came to ask for advice. - she said politely.
- Huh?
- You've been too thoughtful lately. I guess you needed an excuse to visit mistress Semiramis and master Shiro's tent. Something to do with the current situation with the Dothraki, if my assumptions are correct. - Fina explained, to which I was surprised and thoughtful.
Well... I suppose it is...
- Have a seat, now that you're here. We'll listen to you, but we don't promise we'll offer anything," Fina rolled her eyes, and I sat down on the empty chair, "So, what's on your mind?
I calmly put my thoughts in order, remembering everything that had happened lately, and then took a deep breath.
- When I married Drogo, I had only his army in my mind, but now... Drogo, he is... He is not what I imagined. Yes, he is rough and a bit wild, but I feel his love," I began uncertainly. "And if I think pragmatically, apart from emotion and affection, I should be happy about that, because it makes it easier for me to get him to cross the Narrow Sea and fight for me. However, right now I... don't know what to do. Also...
Khalasar obeys the Khal without question. But the Dothraki religion is based on horses that cannot drink salt water, something I learned about in one of my classes. Because of this, they stay away from the Narrow Sea, as the horse is a sacred animal to them.
Also, we should not forget about their ways. For them, freedom and the open sky are their essence and the foundation of life. All Khalasars do not stand still, they do not take over cities and do not love them - only plunder them.
The only exception on the entire continent is Vaes Dothrak, a sacred city where Khal widows live out their days. Blood cannot be shed there, and anyone who breaks that law will be executed, no matter who they are. And it's where most of the tributes and looted treasures are taken. It is the center of the Dothraki people and their fortress, even if it has no stone walls.
Bottom line, there is no way the Dothraki will board ships or lay siege to fortresses without the Khal's orders. Being Queen of the Seven Kingdoms means living in King's Landing, and that just doesn't fit their way of life.
- So you don't want to be queen anymore? - asked the teacher - If that's the case, then our presence here is meaningless. The ring bearer asked us to train you for this very purpose, and if you have changed your mind, we will leave.
-0-
Shiro Kotomine. The Plains.
I shook my head upon hearing the words my beloved had picked up.
Yes, it is quite in her character, and the words have a reason, but what we have in front of us is basically a child with nothing left. She has a husband, but her relationship with him has only just begun to develop, and right now Deni can only rely on Semi and me.
Fina has no interest in the princess' success - only indirectly, since Solomon asked her to. If Denis does give up her goal of becoming queen, there is nothing holding Fina back, and I have no doubt that the latter will return to Pentos without a drop of regret.
- No!" cried the princess loudly, to which Semi and Fina made no response. Outwardly, I mean - I... I just... I just... I don't know what to do... Don't leave me alone... Please....
- Hmmm... - Semi mumbled thoughtfully - I'll give you a month. Just a month for you to sort yourself out. You are my apprentice, and I would hate to interrupt your training before it is complete, but there is no point if my efforts are not justified. To the Dothraki, the knowledge that I and Shiro give does not matter, only to the Queen.
- And so you must decide what is more important to you," I continued, "I realize we sound insensitive, but such is life. Every decision has consequences, and right now you are at a crossroads - to become queen or to remain Khaleesi. It's a decision only you, princess, can make and face its consequences with pride. And believe me, if we didn't care about your fate, we'd leave right now, but we don't.
- Did you hear us, girl? - Semi asked, to which she received a faint nod, Good. Being queen means facing hardships and making decisions that most of the time you won't like. One month. Remember this.
The princess gave another weak nod and stood up silently and left the tent, Fina following obediently behind her. I sighed tiredly and looked at Semi, who looked indifferent.
- Do you have something to say, Shiro?
- No...
- Good. - Semi nodded and returned to her glass.
This month is going to be hard on the princess, but it's necessary. She has to realize how dependent she is on us, and that not everything goes the way she wants. Otherwise, she won't make an acceptable ruler.
Another tired sigh came out of my mouth.
There's nothing we can do now but wait for her response. And hopefully, she will be able to come up with an answer. I really hope so...
-0-
Solomon. Braavos.
I left the Pearl Coast in the late afternoon. The streets of the city were lit by the light of the moon, torches, and oil lamps in the windows of the houses. I still encountered people along the way, but they were extremely few, just a few, added to the occasional patrols. And for the most part they were either courtesans or their clients.
This part of Braavos belonged to the wealthier part of the population, hence more responsible guards and less active troublemakers. Even so, anyone who saw me was mostly bypassed because of my connection to the Black and White House and the Red Temple. So I could think without fear of being distracted by a random passerby.
The conversation with the Artist was over long ago, and she spent the rest of the time she had left painting, even after I had gone. The maids were still doing their duty, helping and guarding their mistress, and I was just watching her work, not making a sound so as not to accidentally draw attention to myself.
Her behavior is rather... contradictory, I would say. Yes, she's made it clear why she hates her mother, but still, I don't think it's all that clear-cut. That is, the Artist had some other reason than the one already stated.
This was indicated by two things at once. The movements of her hands were slow and melancholy, as if she was thinking about something distant, like the light at the end of a tunnel, which you can't reach no matter how hard you try. And the colors she used mostly consisted of shades of blue, black, and purple. And they were all associated with coldness, sadness, and gloom.
That the movements, that the colors, didn't go with the burning rage and hatred she showed while talking. The colors red and orange and their shades are more suited to such emotions, as are the slightly more than calm, active hand movements.
My guess is that she is dreaming of... parental love. The most ordinary one, similar to the one Iona, Halon's daughter, had. However, even if this is true, the Artist realizes how unattainable that dream is, and so she puts up with what she has.
She was cared for in the bakery, which I no doubt believe, but I don't think in the way her parents cared for her. Sleeping together, catering to whims, spending time together, and so on. The people working there were busy maintaining their business, and their care was probably similar to that shown by an uncle or aunt who has been asked to look after a child by their parents. And that's pretty... depressing, I'd say.
And with similar thoughts, my feet led me to the Moon Pond, where vigorous shouts and the clinking of steel could be heard. It was the Bravos, who were engaged in a sort of duel among themselves, and who occupied a small portion of the Pond's square, for their number was limited to seven men.
I sat down on a vacant bench and began to watch them, for I found their method of swordsmanship, as well as their demeanor, entertaining and somewhat nostalgic.
It really reminded me of the fencing tournaments from my world. There was a certain sophistication and gentlemanliness in their movements that contrasted with their boldness and playfulness. The duel between the bravos resembled a dance, as expressed by their other name, Water Dancers.
Conventional Western medieval fencing favored solid footing, predominant immobility of the legs, a firm grip on the blade, and dry strength. This was due to the weight of the sword and armor worn by the people of such regions, as well as a train of thought where honor and dignity had the most direct meaning of all. That is, where a warrior should fight face to face, not run away, cross blades and all that sort of thing.
The Bravos, on the other hand, do the opposite. Their swordsmanship is based on counterattacks, precise and fast blows, high mobility and flexibility of the body. They have no armor as such, that is, they are limited to leather armor, and that is lightened. Instead of the usual broad-bladed swords, bravos use rapiers or something similar. Combined, when a duel takes place between two bravos, it becomes like a dance, due to the fact that the participants are constantly moving and acting only at the right moment.
In any case, while the six were dueling amongst themselves, the last bravo was practicing separately in complete silence and solitude. And I knew who he was, namely Oris Antarion, Velano's younger brother. The young man was focused, training with an unseen enemy while droplets of sweat glistened on his forehead and his face showed tension.
At one point, he noticed my gaze and then stopped practicing and headed towards me.
I wondered.
I suppose, since things worked out this way, I'll honor Velano's request. We'll see what happens.
-0-
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