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What is dead may never die (Chapter 81)
🕑 Added 2023-07-16 15:55:09 +0000 UTCThe Grand Opening
Theon POV
Meereen was bustling. Today the fighting pits were going to open. The Great Masters of Meereen gathered with their servants to see. People from various places came too. It didn’t look like there were many dignitaries from other Free Cities, but with time, they would become curious too. Of course, with many people concentrated in one place, it wasn’t easy to guard it.
I had to do much work to establish the security. I still didn’t understand why they gave me the job, to begin with. Still, I ordered Anguy to take the best archers to overlook the place, and Bronn was to deal with the guests. At the same time, Thoros was to be within the common populace and watch over them. Hundreds of my men were spread around the Fighting Pits.
I have the Unsullied, more direct approach. Stand by the roads and gates and patrol around. They didn’t have trouble standing in one place under a scorching sun for an extended period. Nor will they complain or let their guard down. So, I trusted them to do their job well. On the other hand, I will stay with Dany and wait for the reports to be brought to me.
Today only the biggest Fighting Pit will be open, Daznak’s Pit. It seemed that it was good thinking to confiscate the Fighting Pits and not let anyone repurchase them, as Daznak’s Pit was full. And the price for a seat wasn’t cheap. I knew there was a reason why Hizdahr zo Loraq wanted them so bad, offering enormous amounts of gold to manage them.
Those greedy merchants wanted to get all of it for themselves. Too bad they didn’t have a chance to do so. Nor would I let them gain any more power over the city. I knew people like them. If you showed them even a bit of weakness, they would try to exploit them to the bitter end. If it were my will, I would have them all killed before they become a problem.
“They are quite feisty today,” I told Dany as the dragons flew over our heads. “Have you fed them yet? It would be problematic if they cause harm to someone.”
“It was you who asked for the dragons to be shown,” Dany replied. “And don’t worry. They were fed well. Let’s end this quickly so we can return to work.”
“We just arrived at the Fighting Pit, and you want it to end?” I asked with a teasing smile. “Don’t worry, and enjoy yourself. When the sun starts to set, we return to the Great Pyramid.”
“The sun just rose,” Dany commented.
“It can’t be helped. It is the grand opening,” I replied. “People will want to see you and your dragons.”
Dany looked dissatisfied but didn’t complain anymore. Jorah, Barristan, and Grey Worm were with us, but they were silent. Grey Worm didn’t speak much aside from being addressed, and Jorah became relatively quiet after the truth about him was revealed. Barristan didn’t say much either and mostly kept silent until there was a need for his opinion. And Strong Belwas didn’t give a shit about anything.
The journey from the Great Pyramid was smooth but slow, as the streets were filled with people. And the closer we got, the more packed the roads became. We had no choice but to go slowly and let the people get out of our way. The Great Masters might push people around, but at most, it would save us half an hour, but in exchange, we would receive their resentment.
“It will be a long day,” Dany muttered.
“Who knows, maybe you will enjoy the show,” I said. “Anyway, we should take our seats and look pretty.”
Dany smiled at me. She wore a regal flowing dress in red and black. It featured intricate embroidery and dragon motifs. Still, I didn’t like how little imagination it left, but I didn’t complain. I noticed many eyes on us as we climbed to our seats. Only Dany and I sat while the rest of our entourage stood beside or behind us.
“There comes the first boot licker,” I said as an old woman and a man came to greet us.
“Ne nice, Theon,” Dany replied, smiling at the guests.
“Your Radiance,” The old woman greeted Dany. “I wished to see you don in tokar. Meereen’s queen should be a lady of Old Ghis.”
“I am sorry to disappoint you, Green Grace, Galazza Galare,” Dany replied and introduced the old lady to me at the same time. “But tokar’s are too bright and loose for my liking. Maybe one day I will find one that I like.”
“I would advise you to do so,” The Green Grace said. “Or you forever will be a stranger among us. You will always be a grotesque outlander, a barbarian conqueror.”
“If you saw her like that, you wouldn’t dare to say such words,” I said. “And the Queen will always be a stranger among you. You will never know her true self, nor will you ever understand her. Nor will you ever try.”
“King Theon Greyjoy,” The Green Grace turned to me. “Your words are sharp, yet you wear black armor. Are you afraid of sharper blades you will summon with your tongue?”
“Maybe I am,” I responded to her without shame. “But trust me, the blades won’t pierce through my armor, but my sword will break your blades.”
“I have no blades, King Theon,” The Green Grace replied. “I hope you have met my cousin, Your Radiance, Grazdan zo Galare.”
“But of course,” Dany replied. “He tried to steal from his former slaves by petitioning me to take the weaving shops they opened. Yet he couldn’t even remember their names.”
I almost spit out my wine. What kind of an idiot was he? Did he think he could ask the Queen to take from others without giving a good reason? I can imagine the man moaning about how his house taught the slaves their trade, so they owe him for that. But at least he could have learned their names. What did he expect Dany’s response would be?
“I was only confused with the new rules and felt like I deserved reparation from them, Your Grace,” The man had no shame. “I know it better now.”
“The show will soon begin,” I interrupted whatever else they wanted to say. “I would suggest finding a seat to enjoy it.”
At least they knew when to end their little game. I could tell the Green Grace was quite an important woman as the man didn’t dare speak before she finished. I have heard of the Temple of Graces. I mostly paid attention to the temple because its structure was topped with golden domes. From that, I could tell the temple was significant to the city.
Still, aside from providing healing, I didn’t know what the temple did. It was probably the same as with the Faith in Westeros. They exploited weak-willed people to provide them with funds and spread their gospel. It probably had much influence among the Great Masters, too, as the Green Grace was from the Great Master family.
“Your Grace, you look lovely as ever,” Hizdahr zo Loraq walked up to us when the Green Grace left. “It would be my honor to watch the show with you, Your Grace. Of course, if you have me.”
“There are no seats for you,” I responded with a smirk.
“As crude as ever, King Theon,” Hizdahr replied with a smile. “But I am content to stand by, Her Grace.”
“I think many would,” Dany said. “But not everyone can afford to do so.”
“What if I provided valuable information?” Hizdahr asked.
“I would listen and have you stay close if I had questions,” Dany replied.
“Your friend from Qarth has malicious intents for you, Your Grace,” Hizdahr said.
“It isn’t precious for us, as we know it already,” I told him.
“But of course,” Hizdahr replied. “But I don’t think you know that he brought quite a few friends. They are quite apologetic.”
It took me only a moment to understand what Hizdahr meant. I turned to look over the spectators trying to find Xaro. I knew he was here, but there were too many people for me to pinpoint him among them. It wouldn’t change much, even if I knew where he was. With Barristan, Grey Worm, Jorah, and Strong Belwas, I didn’t think anyone could get to Dany, and if they did manage, her dragons would, who was flying above us, would burn them.
“What does it suppose to mean?” Dany asked.
“Sorrowful men,” I replied.
“It wouldn’t be the first time they used them to get to you, Your Grace, would it?” Hizdahr asked.
“And how do you know of such information?” Dany asked.
“There isn’t much that escapes my notice in this city,” Hizdahr answered.
I was sure that Hizdahr had provided help to Xaro in one way or another. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know this information. But I couldn’t understand why he would tell us that. Did he want to gain favor with Dany or get rid of Xaro? I didn’t know a thing about their relationship. So, it was hard to tell what Hizdahr was thinking.
As my thoughts absorbed me, the fights began. I didn’t even try to memorize the names of the fighters. None attracted my attention, while Hizdahr blabbed about them nonstop. I was more interested in observing the twenty thousand people watching the fights. There were too many for me to notice anything out of the line. But if something happens, I should be able to see it.
After a few fights, to make people blood heated, competition started. There was some dissatisfaction, but mostly it was welcomed warmly. The first competition was archery. People were welcome to test their skills and win generous prizes. There were few laughs as some participants completely missed their targets, and some awe to see some hit bullseyes from hundred paces.
Of course, we couldn’t change the fighting pits completely without angry masses voicing their complaints, so we mixed in some of the old traditions. In the end, it was a show for people’s entertainment, so I had no objection to a jouster riding against a bull after the archery competition. Of course, I tried to limit bloodshed to a minimum, so when the jouster was flung to the ground, he was quickly retrieved to safety from the furious bull.
“A magnificent show,” Hizdahr commented. “It brings a new kind of excitement to the people without sacrificing the old traditions.”
“I am glad you are enjoying yourself,” Dany replied.
The day went on quite quickly. Snacks were provided for us, and it didn’t seem like anyone would try anything. That was until a Greycloak came in a hurry to me. Before he came, I already knew that he would bring bad news. Excusing myself, I met the Greycloak. It was one of the Goodbrothers twins. I couldn’t tell which one.
“What happened?” I asked as we walked a bit away from Dany and the others.
“Two of our men were found dead,” He answered. “They were patrolling by the entrances to the Fighting Pit.”
“Did anyone see anything?”
“No, but the bodies were fresh. The blood was still warm.”
“In this heat, it doesn’t tell us much,” I said. “What kind of wounds did they have?”
“Stab wounds, we suspect a dagger.”
“In front or back?”
“Both in front, in the neck,” He answered. “Killed instantly, with little blood splash.”
“Hmm, did our men even manage to draw their weapons?”
“No, they are still in their sheaths.”
“Order men to be grouped with three or more men,” I said. “Report me if you find something else.”
I watched as he left, and I returned to Dany. From what Goodbrother’s twin said, it was clear that the attacker managed to get close to the guards before killing them. That was suspicious. Maybe they let their guard down, but my men were quite rough. They wouldn’t let just anyone close to them. Was it someone they recognized?
“What happened?” Dany asked once I returned.
“Some ruffians tried to make a scene,” I lied while looking at Hizdahr but found nothing in his expression. “It was taken care of.”
I could tell that Dany knew that wasn’t all, but I kept it to myself. I didn’t want Hizdahr to know anything. The show continued without a hitch, even when the sun started to set. There were only a couple of games before the end. Nobody came to report anything to me. The previous attacker was a skilled killer who managed to kill two men instantly and simultaneously. So, I kept my guard up and watched anything even a bit out of place.
“Your Grace,” A servant girl announced as she walked to us. “Wine and food.”
“Thank you, set it on the table,” Dany said, smiling softly at the girl.
The servant girl went to work and set a bottle of wine and trays of various snacks on the table. I was surprised a bit by the girl’s beauty, even if her skin was rough and her body muscular. Hizdahr seemed to agree as he looked over the girl with lustful eyes. Yet I narrowed my eyes and tensed my muscles as the girl set the food.
I had never seen this girl before. I knew I ignored most people, but Dany didn’t have many servants, and I had none. So, if I thought I could recognize them and the girl was unique enough for me to remember. I observed as the girl moved. Nothing was suspicious yet. And as I was about to relax, I noticed how her hands tensed even though she wasn’t holding anything.
“I am sorry,” The girl said.
“There is nothing to apologize for, girl,” Dany turned to her and replied.
At that moment, I moved. As the girl was about to lift her hand, I grasped her. I felt through my fingers something hard and sharp under her sleeves. The girl was surprised at my action but reacted before taking my eyes off her sleeve. A thin dagger shot out from her other sleeve, and he grasped it before stabbing at me in my knee.
She went for a joint opening on my armor. The dagger went quite deep, but I ignored it and punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground. Before he could regain her bearing, I kicked her stomach and held her in place with my foot on her head. Barristan and Jorah were already in front of Dany, watching me. Grey Worm quickly went to the girl and unarmed her before tying her up.
“I think we should return to Great Pyramid sooner than we expected,” I told Dany. “I hope we didn’t disappoint you with the grand opening of the Fighting Pits, Hizdahr.”
