Chapter Eight
**Daenerys's POV**
Dany was getting nervous, she felt that she had something to prove. They didn't need to stop in Qarth, Hermione her that, she could just make a ship for us, it would last for long enough to reach Astapor anyway, but I felt the need to try to at least make contacts and possible look for future trade partners for later in case I did eventually win the throne. Hermione's lessons on not having allies hitting harder then before.
Only a few hours ago, Kovarro had made it back with a fresh horse, explaining that the Thirteen would see them at the gate. He or course amazed at the sight before him asking how it was possible, I had the others fill him in on the events of the past few days.
The miles melting away, far faster then she thought possible, apparently they had been traveling faster than expected. Something had changed in Hermione's attitude as we drew closer to the city. She seemed super focued and was discussing things in private with Winky.
Hermione had been acting strange for a while now, she seemed angry about something but when asked, she just responded that it was, "nothing she need worry about," Hermione had handed Winky a small tube filled with a bluish flowing somthing...it almost looked like a thick liquid that moved on its own. She then sent her elf servant on some errand. Winky disappeared with a pop, the wicked smile on the little elf's face just before she disappeared, slightly unnerved her but she just chocked it up to not understanding how elves think.
Dany asked her about it, but Hermione just tried to give her a reassuring smile and said, "Just a complication I hoped never to have to deal with again, nothing to worry about, but it does add a clue as to....." Hermione started thinking and once again writing in that cursed journal of hers, every time she figures something out, it gave Dany a headache.
Dany let it go for the moment, she had other things on her mind at the time. Hermione had her reasons for doing what she did, and she was positive she would not be informed of what it was, till the little witch was ready to tell them. Dany needed to be ready, for the current situation she could not worry about the future when she was still trying to figure out the now.
Dany was further surprised during one of there last stops. Hermione had offered to let her use her fortune, only as a loan seeing as Dany would need the money and Hermione didn't have a use for it at the moment. The coins were odd but heavier then normal golden dragons, These Galleon's as Hermine commented where three times heavier then our coins as they were made with pure gold, these were worth far more then what she was used to.
Dany had been shocked when she'd seen the downstairs area. The dreaded die a painful death area turned out to be very different.
It looked like nothing she had ever seen before, strange furniture and unusual devises she couldn't even guess the use of. She couldn't dwell on that for long as she was led into a hallway with a metal door at the end.
Hermione simply tapped on the door, and it opened, revealing a strange room with glass bottles filled with white floating lights that Dany could swear revealed faces sometimes.
In the center of the room sat a strange fountain what Hermione told her was a Pensieve, a magical artifact able to view memories and more, the Vials filled on all parts of the walls were memories most of them hers but some belonged to others.
The real surprise happened when Hermione opened a plain metal door at the end of the small room. This tent of Hermione's proving once again to destroy her expectations.
Inside was a mountain of golden and silver coins, as well as many strange metal objects. Along the far wall stood 4 pedestals each holding an object, one was a odd sword, another a scored crown then a damaged cup and locket. Apparently Hermione had been learning to repair these as she called them "sacred relics of the past," thus had started learning enchanting and metal work, now that she had solved some problem that had been bothering her and accidently helped a friend, she didn't go into great detail, but I could tell it made her happy thinking of helping her friends.
Come to find out, their little Hermione was not so innocent, a blushing Hermione almost causing even Ser Jorah to laugh.
Dany asked why she had all that treasure just laying around, here of all places, the answer gave Dany even more pause. They found out, she as well as two Co-conspirators had broken into the most magically protected bank's most secured vaults, stolen an evil object, then made their getaway on the back of a trapped blind elder dragon.
This part made Dany look at the girl closer, Dany might not know a lot of things, but she knew the legends of dragons. Dragons would not just let anyone on their backs even if they were assisting them, the dragon would have to recognize them as friend or kin, Hermione had said she was neither. She knew that even a blind dragon is a magical creature and if they didn't want you on or near them...well there is not a lot many could do to stop from being eaten. As proved by her Ancestors and there stories. Not only was Hermione the first to jump on the dragon and assist but the dragon had listened to Hermione's thoughts, she was sure of it. The Dragon then tried to let them off in a place slow and low enough that they would survive.
The dragon probably knowing it would never be able to land again without crippling itself. The poor beast probably wanted one more free flight before death. She was surprised Hermione not only failed to see this connection but actively seemed not to notice, when it was pointed out. *strange*
Of the 3 people to break into the bank, only she was banned for ten generations from using their magical bank, after some kind of magical war. The concept behind that idea was making her sick to the stomach. So, Hermione had to store everything she owned herself, this did not sit right with Dany, but Hermione simply waved it off.
Hermione admitted that she would not have nearly as much wealth if not for her lovable *half-giant* friend wanting to split the money he got, as she put it, "all fair and square, seeing as you did all the work."
Hermione doing her best to reenact the scene of her large friend while smiling.
Hermione said that seeing as she had no way to get back, Dany could use it as she needed, as a loan of course Hermione still might need money in the future.
Hermione had also "sacrificed a *good* spoon" to create thirteen Valyrian steel magic rings that adjusted to fit any size, as gifts for the Thirteen. Watching Hermione mold and shape and combine the ingredients into making each ring the patients as her magic shaped the rings in record time. Hermione simply looked at each frowning, "Like I said, simple, no where is it in league with the real thing."
Each one had a beautifully designed winged lion. Each ring looked, for all accounts, like a signet ring.
She had everything ready and planned. Now she had to perform and hope it worked.
Dany didn't fear not getting into the city, but she wanted to show not only Hermione but herself that she could actually negotiate and not come as a beggar.
She was a future queen, after all. And if she wanted respect, she must earn it first.
She stepped out of the royal-looking carriage, Hermione following after.
Hermione had created a beautiful white and gold dress just for this meeting to "impress the locals," as she put it.
Now Dany was before the gates as she noticed who she assumed to be the Thirteen lined up near a large contingent of guards.
No one was threatening or pointing weapons, but the point was made. Qarth's leadership had teeth.
One rather large man approached with a few guards.
Dany stood with Ser Jorah and one of her Blood Riders to her right and slightly behind, and Hermione just behind her on her left, hands clasped in front of her in a submissive posture, acting for all intents and purposes as a servant.
The rather rotund man walked forward but stopped halfway.
Normally, Dany wouldn't walk up to this man as she was royal, but she wanted respect. She needed to show it.
So she walked forward alone, waving Ser Jorah down, and as gracefully as she could, she met the man at a respectful distance.
Normally, as a royal, she would go first, but seeing as she had no throne and was only a princess by name alone, she should allow them to speak first.
She greeted them with as much courtesy as possible, making sure to get the name correct, look the gentleman in the eyes, and try to keep a warm smile.
The man seemed pleasantly surprised that she met him as equals instead of hiding with her guard.
"We are the Thirteen," he said, while turning slightly, indicating the rest of his company—as if it was not obvious.
Dany dipped her head in respect and kept silent, allowing him to finish his introduction.
He continued. "Charged with the governance and protection of Qarth, the greatest city that ever was or will be."
This was the moment.
"I greet the Thirteen Lords of Qarth. The beauty of your city is legendary, and I found I simply had to see the greatest city there ever was or will be with my own eyes."
This seemed to please him a bit, but he didn't seem to care much for flattery.
"Might we see the dragons?" he asked with a casual dismissal of her words.
"You wish to see them here?" Dany asked, cocking her head to the side, giving him a look of confusion.
"Forgive me, but no man alive has seen a living dragon. Some of my more skeptical friends refuse to believe... your children even exist. All we ask is the chance to see for ourselves."
Inside, Dany was starting to get angry, but she knew she had to keep calm and play the game.
"I would be honored to show the Thirteen my children but forgive me, I believed that seeing as no living man has seen dragons, I thought to do it at a more celebratory event. I even brought a special gift for each of the Thirteen. I was going to present everything for you as a special treat, but if you wish instead to just see them, I suppose we can skip the gift and just see the children, that can be arranged, if you wish." Throwing temptation on just what this gift could be.
Dany kept a positive expression on her face as she heard the rest of the Thirteen muttering to each other, apparently curious about what this gift was.
He was thoughtful for a moment, a smile starting to show on his rather round face.
Before he could continue, a rather charming man started walking forward.
"Hello, Princess. I am Xaro Xhoan Daxos. I personally would like to invite you and your people to stay in my humble home for your stay here," the man said with a calming, regal tone.
A few of the Thirteen looked angry, but not at Dany. They seemed angry at Xaro.
"I would be honored to be your guest. We will only be staying till we can book passage toward Astapor. We do not wish to put too great a burden on you," Dany announced loudly enough for all to hear.
Each of these people knew Astapor's main export: *The Unsullied*.
Then Hermione had each ring in its own beautifully made wooden box with black velvet lining, the ring resting on a cushion.
The box was decorated with the same signet design of a winged lion inlaid with gold, with a simple latch made of the same material as the ring.
Dany almost slapped a palm to her face.
Leave it to this ridiculous girl to make the box holding a fortune be worth an equal fortune.
As the company was heading into the city, she just hoped things would go well and be easy this time.