Daenerys had already learned from Xaro that he possessed over eighty ships. However, she had too few men, and they were all Dothraki, who would have been half-dead even just sitting on a boat, let alone sailing it.
The captives and dockworkers who hadn't managed to escape could man at most five ships, but Daenerys was still deeply satisfied with this. Besides, the royal family and the Eleven Lords had forbidden her from taking all the ships.
She brought the women and children aboard her own ship, while the Dothraki warriors were stationed on the other four ships to guard the captives. However, their supervision was merely symbolic; the captives, having witnessed the dragon's fire, knew there was nowhere they could go on the vast ocean.
Qarth, the world's largest port city and a hub for trade, gathered precious commodities from across the globe.
After stocking up on enough food and water, Jorah led the group, using the gold coins they had extorted from Xaro to purchase Qarth's local specialties: pepper, zebra hides, and sour grass. If they could successfully transport these goods to distant lands, they would make a fortune.
Once the cargo was loaded, the five large ships smoothly set sail. Watching the docks gradually recede, Daenerys and Jorah finally let out a true sigh of relief.
In contrast, the Dothraki looked terrified, as if the ship were carrying them to hell, their faces etched with the resignation of those facing certain death.
After the ships set sail, the Dothraki were tormented by seasickness, even the bravest Bloodriders were reduced to listless misery. At that moment, they would have gladly accepted death in a duel.
"They are all doing this for me," Daenerys said, gazing at the swaying Dothraki. There was no mockery in her voice, only a profound sense of responsibility.
They had left their homeland, braved the poisoned waters to follow her on this unknown journey. She vowed to protect them all.
*Hiss!*
Soaring through the azure sky, Drogon felt an unprecedented sense of freedom. The sky was the true domain of dragons.
He darted straight towards the heavens, then plunged into the sea to catch fish, reveling in his play.
After circling the five large ships several times, he landed on the railing to rest.
"Khaleesi, what was inside the House of the Undying?" Jorah asked, finally finding a moment to speak. He couldn't understand why Pyat Pree had insisted she go.
"We misunderstood something earlier. Xaro wanted the dragon, not me. Pyat Pree wanted me, not the dragon."
"You?"
"Yes. If it weren't for Drogon, I would be dead now," Daenerys said, stroking his soft neck.
"Inside, I experienced all sorts of visions. I saw the ash-covered Iron Throne, Drogo and our son, and even Ser Willem, who rescued me from Dragonstone."
"I saw a gruesome feast of corpses, with dismembered bodies and severed heads strewn everywhere. Among them was a bizarre figure with the head of a wolf and the body of a man."
Could the Dragon Mother be foreseeing the Red Wedding? Drogon wondered as he listened to Daenerys recount her vision.
"The Red Wedding?" Daenerys, hearing Drogon's unspoken thought, didn't know what that meant. *A wolf's head? Could that refer to House Stark? Was it a red wedding they were holding for others, or one designed for them?*
*Still, I don't care about the fate of the usurper's lackeys. The more violently they slaughter each other, the better.*
She continued, "I also saw my brother Rhaegar—it must have been him. He looked so much like my brother Viserion. He was holding an infant, calling him Aegon Targaryen, the legendary prince."
"But wasn't the young prince crushed to death by The Mountain?"
"It must have been him. It's a shame I didn't get to see them."
So that's your prince charming!
"Hmm?" Daenerys looked up in surprise at Drogon, who stood towering over her on the railing.
"Didn't you say my prince charming hadn't appeared yet? But Aegon was crushed to death! Unless... he didn't die after all, and someone saved him?"
Daenerys looked at Drogon, her mind racing. She had momentarily forgotten that she shouldn't let Drogon know she could eavesdrop on his thoughts.
Why are you staring at me like that? Why don't you continue! Drogon tilted his head, looking up at the Dragon Mother. He was curious about what she had encountered inside, which would confirm whether his death by a hail of arrows would truly come to pass.
Seeing Drogon staring at her, Daenerys realized that looking at him so intently would easily arouse his suspicion. He was so intelligent; if he discovered she had been eavesdropping on his thoughts all along, he would surely become wary, and she would probably never hear them again.
"Drogon seems to have grown quite a bit again!" Daenerys said, stroking his neck and body.
This was originally just a casual remark to cover her tracks, but as she spoke, she realized Drogon had indeed grown significantly. His scales were darker and more lustrous than before, and combined with his crimson wings and skin texture, the entire dragon exuded a terrifying yet beautiful presence, retaining its majestic and imposing aura.
"You're getting more and more handsome!" Daenerys couldn't help but exclaim.
I've been discovered, hahaha... Drogon laughed inwardly, feeling triumphant.
Absorbing the mysterious light points had primarily enhanced his physical strength and magical power. While his size hadn't changed much, his appearance had undeniably improved.
"!!!Still just a little dragon..." Daenerys muttered.
Undetected, she continued her story.
"The Immortals told me I am the child of three, destined to ignite three flames in my life: one for birth, one for death, and one for love."
"I am destined to ride three steeds: one of the bedchamber, one of terror, and one of love; destined to endure three betrayals: one of blood, one of gold, and one of love."
"The flame of 'birth' must be the great fire that ignited when the little dragons were born. I don't know if 'death' refers to dragonfire..." But it was the three betrayals that concerned Daenerys most.
"Mirri's betrayal was of blood. Could the gold be Doreah? And what of love?"
Hearing this, Drogon couldn't help but glance at Jorah. *Ser Jorah seems to have nothing to say.*
As Daenerys analyzed the three betrayals, Jorah shifted uncomfortably and turned his head, only to meet Drogon's gaze. The dragon's eyes, like fiery embers, were deep and wise.
Jorah felt as if he had been seen through. He couldn't understand how a little dragon could possess such eyes.
*Jorah?*
*Could it be Jorah? But how is that possible? He has served me faithfully all this time, even saving me from the poisoned wine. If he had betrayed me, I would have died several times over by now.*
But if it wasn't him, could he be involved, or did he know who betrayed her? A sidelong glance at Jorah's uneasy expression confirmed his suspicions.
However, Daenerys couldn't bring herself to question him directly. She was no longer the naive girl she once was. Blindly doubting Jorah, who had served her so faithfully, would only undermine his loyalty. She would have to be more cautious in the future.
As for the betrayal of Daenerys' love, Drogon knew she was referring to Jon. Yet he found himself unable to pass judgment.
The Dragon Mother, in her fury, had burned King's Landing and was now determined to continue her conquest. She might even kill Jon's siblings. Given Jon's compassionate nature and his familial ties, such a decision, though agonizing, was understandable.
*Sigh... We can't let the Dragon Mother repeat the mistakes of the past!* Drogon sighed inwardly.