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What is dead may never die (Chapter 89)
🕑 Added 2023-09-17 15:19:29 +0000 UTCThe threat of conflict
Theon POV
Sometimes, dismissing people and notions as irrelevant while not fully understanding them was easy. It was easy for me to ignore the Temple of the Graces as I had other things to worry about and think about. They were the same as the Faith of the Seven in Westeros. In a grand scheme, they are useless. They have limited power, and they couldn’t exercise that power thoughtlessly.
But there were other ways to tip the scale. What they lack in power, they have in influence. From the temple of graces come healers and prostitutes. Both are the most wanted people in times of war. And the high priestess, the Green Grace, knew it too. Galazza Galare is a tall, graceful-looking woman, even if she is over eighty years old.
As the Green Grace, Galazza Galare wears a shimmering green silk veil that covers her whole face, except for her eyes. She has a soft and kindly voice. Her eyes seemed not to be touched by time hold wisdom beyond me. And the worst part is that she didn’t seem to be pretending. There didn’t seem to be a mask on her.
It was simple to deal with power-hungry and greedy people who thought they were untouchable. But I had no idea how to deal with her. The woman infuriated me as she spoke of Meereen and its people. She cared about them. She cared about all the people in Meereen, from the Great Masters to the former slaves. As she spoke with Daenerys, I waited for a moment she would slip and reveal her dark desires, but there wasn’t such a moment.
“It is only a matter of time before bloodbath is opened in the streets of Meereen,” The Green Grace said. “The tension between the Great Masters is growing stronger each day.”
“Yes, I see it at the court,” Daenerys agreed. “It looked like they would turn to beasts at any moment and rip each other into pieces.”
“Dreadful thought, but not something I could deny,” The Green Grace drank her tea after she spoke. “Their pride will be the end of them.”
“I will have more men to patrol and secure the streets of Meereen,” Daenerys replied.
“You don’t need to pretend to care, your radiance. We both know that it is favorable for you if they kill each other. But I must warn you for, not only your sake but for the city’s sake, that this situation could turn more morbid than anyone could imagine. The Great Masters possess extraordinary wealth and power.”
“If they continue their fights into the streets, they will be stopped,” I said as I stood next to Daenerys. “We can do nothing as long as they keep it at their homes.”
“I do not like the assassination either,” Daenerys said. “But I can’t protect people who do not wish to be protected. I will extend my hands to everyone. If they have dear family they want to protect, I will take them to the Great Pyramid.”
“Noble words, yet it could be taken as malicious,” The Green Grace replied. “You wouldn’t trick anyone of your intentions of taking the family members of the Great Masters as your hostages.”
“What do you want, woman?” I asked, not able to hold it any longer. “We do nothing. We are abominable. We try to help. We are malicious. The Queen doesn’t need to please anyone, but neither will she take slander unwanted.”
The Green Grace's eyes, shrouded in wisdom, bore into mine as if assessing my soul. It was clear that she was not one to be easily dismissed or intimidated. She leaned back in her chair, her silk veil rustling softly. She put down her teacup slowly but with steady hands. I never met a person I disliked but at the same time didn’t want to kill.
“What I want, King Theon, is the well-being of Meereen and its people,” she finally replied, her voice unwavering. “My concerns are not rooted in slander or malice but in a genuine desire to prevent the city from descending into chaos. I understand your methods, as ruthless as they seem, are intended to secure Queen Daenerys' rule. But we must tread carefully, for the consequences of our actions reach far beyond the walls of the Great Pyramid.”
Those didn’t lie. She saw through my plan like it was an open book. But I couldn’t do anything to silence her. She knew it, too, as even when she looked at my dark eyes filled with murder, she didn’t waver. I respected her for who she was, but I hated her nonetheless. I had never dealt with such a person before.
“I want to find a way to maintain peace and stability,” Daenerys’ response was measured, not revealing anything. “Meereen has already seen too much suffering. If there is a path to unity that avoids bloodshed, I am willing to take it. But I did everything within my power to ensure it. If the Great Masters aren’t willing to do the same, there is little I can do.”
“Your radiance, we may have differing approaches, but our ultimate goal should be the same,” The Green Grace’s eyes seemed to soften as she recognized that Daenerys was sincere. “I hope that we can find common ground to ensure Meereen's prosperity and the safety of its inhabitants.”
“The problem is that not many others would agree to that,” My voice was cold as I knew the reality of these men's hearts. “They don’t care about anything but their own. And I would be fine about it as long as they stayed silent and followed what they were told, but they are waiving their cocks around to ensure everyone knows who’s bigger it is.”
“I never heard of a King with such a foul mouth, King Theon.”
My lips curled into a faint, humorless smile at the Green Grace's comment. But before I could reply, Daenerys shot me a sidelong glance, perhaps sensing the tension gripping the room. It was clear that while the Green Grace and I stood on opposing sides of this ideological divide, we were both unwavering in our convictions. In comparison, Daenerys stood in the middle of it.
“As for our ultimate goal," I said, addressing the Green Grace's earlier statement instead of responding to her comment. "It should indeed be the well-being of Meereen. And while our methods may differ, I assure you, my lady, that we are not blind to the consequences of our actions.”
The Green Grace inclined her head, acknowledging my words, though the veil covering her face made it impossible to discern her expression. But her eyes were clear, and they said she would never agree to my actions. Daenerys put her empty cup down on the table, breaking the silence. I could tell that she didn’t want us going for each other throats.
“Then, let us hope that wisdom and compassion guide our decisions in the coming days, for Meereen's future remains uncertain. I have already taken much of your time, your radiance. I shall take my leave.”
The Green Grace gracefully rose from her chair and, with a gentle nod of her head, took her leave. Her retreating figure, veiled in shimmering green silk, seemed to glide across the room like a specter of wisdom and compassion, leaving behind a lingering air of uncertainty. Every word she spoke and every motion she made was to make us doubt our actions.
As the heavy doors closed behind her, the chamber's tension began dissipating. I exchanged a brief, wordless glance with Daenerys, acknowledging the complexity of the situation we found ourselves in. Daenerys sighed, breaking the silence that had settled over us. I sat down to listen to her as I didn’t know what to say.
“She knows.”
“Yes, and she came to tell us that,” I agreed. “But it changes nothing. Her suspicion alone won’t turn the tides. The Great Masters are beyond reasoning.”
“I have no compassion for them,” Daenerys said. “But I will not allow their battles to harm innocent people of Meereen.”
“I know.”
“Sometimes it feels like I am lying to myself. Would I have let you do what you wanted if I cared about them?”
“You wouldn’t,” I said. “That's why I went behind your back. I acknowledge your compassion, Dany. I respect and admire it, but don’t feel the same way. I don’t care about people I do not know. I might feel bad if they were hurt, but I would forget soon after.”
“Some would say you are cold,” Daenerys replied.
“I have died twice, Dany. And one death was at my father's hands,” I said. “I think I have the right to be cold. And that is why you are here. You worry about your people, and I will worry about your enemies.”
“Your grace,” Jorah and Ser Barristan came into the room after knocking twice.
“What is it?” Daenerys could see the urgency in their eyes.
“We received a message from Daario,” Jorah said. “Yunkai is amassing men.”
“Gather everyone. We will hold a small meeting,” Daenerys announced.
Daenerys seemed right to worry about Yunkai and send Daario with his sellsword company to monitor their movements. I never expected Yunkai to be so impatient. I thought they would take their action when we left for Westeros. Maybe they saw Astapor flourishing, and Meereen hadn’t collapsed, so perhaps they couldn’t wait any longer.
…
Yunkai hasn’t declared war on Astapor or anyone. But for the message Daario sent us, it was clear that Yunkai has started hiring various sellsword companies. And then there is news that New Ghis have also given Yunkai their iron legions. I wonder if Yunkai expected to hide it or if they thought we wouldn’t notice it.
“The Windblown and the Company of the Cat are two of the better sellsword companies in Essos. Both have thousands of men in their companies,” Oberyn began the meeting. I never heard of Long Lances having a victory. But I wonder how much Yunkai are paying.”
“Why so?” Ser Barristan asked.
“The Windblown and the Company of the Cat are fierce rivals. It would have cost much for Yunkai to make them fight together.”
“Let’s not forget the promises of the loot,” I added. “I'm sure they want to take their lion’s share of it.”
“What of our side?” Daenerys asked. “You said you would contact sellsword companies.”
“I did. I wanted to contact the Windblown, but I was beaten to it,” Oberyn answered. “There are two other companies that I would put my trust into, but both have complicated histories with your ancestors, your Grace.”
“Who?”
“The Company of Roses is an old, well-respected, and capable sellsword company. The problem is that they are descendants of the people of the North who left after Aegon conquered the Seven Kingdoms. Then there is the Golden Company; their ancestors fought on the side of the Blackfyre. So, as you can see, we might have a conflict of interest with them. Still, I wanted to exhaust all my contacts before I turned to less savory people.”
“There is no need to hire a sellsword,” I said. “We have enough men and train more each day. And no army can fight the dragons.”
“Very well, then I will leave it to you, Theon,” Daenerys said. “Observe Yunkai and prepare our men. Once they make a move, we will counter them.”
I would have wanted to be given the order to torch and raid Yunkai, but I guess I will have to wait. Either way, I wasn’t too concerned with Yunkai, and if they wished to give me a reason to take over their city, I could only be grateful for it. It would be best to wrap the things in Meereen and take care of Yunkai before we left for Westeros and end the war there.
