Chapter 26

                                    

                                          
Aegon Targaryen
I walk among the recruits and inspect them thoroughly. Many that are sparring with each other are not very talented and not the greatest fighters. It worries me greatly. They won't stand a chance against trained soldiers. It worries me that we send them just to die. I turn to Grey Worm who is discussing the recruits with Daario.
"They will not be ready," I say as I reach them. Grey Worm nods in agreement. "They will not. If they fight, they will die," he says without sugar-coating it. "It might buy enough time for the dragons to arrive," Daario says. "I don't want them to throw their lives away. We can do something to make it easier without actually making them excellent fighters," I say. Daario sighs and puts his hands on the hips. "Well, I am open for ideas, Your Grace."
I rub my chin as I think. How did they fight on earth in the past... they can't be trained as knights. It takes too much time. What else... the Romans! They were focused on teamwork and relied on their fellow men in a shield wall. "Grey Worm, how do the Unsullied fight? In groups in a shield wall, right?" I ask. "We do," he confirms.
"Train them in something similar. We have enough shields for each, right? Each will be given one and they will work as a cohesive unit. Shields at the front, next to each other, create a wall. The front row will keep the enemy at bay while the next row will kill them with spears and swords. It requires only coordination and trust. That should be doable in the weeks we have," I explained. 
Grey Worm nods. "A good idea. We'll start right away," he says and walks towards his men that instruct the recruits. "Daario, keep me informed." Daario nods. "Will do," he says and goes to do his part. I sigh a little and walk back to the Pyramid. As per request by Daenerys, a heavy guard presence walks with me. She takes no chances with my safety.
In half an hour, I walk back into Pyramid. Daenerys greets me at the entrance. "Alex, how is it going with the recruits?" she asks. "We will not make it with the way we train them now. I talked with Grey Worn and we will twitch tactics. It must be enough, at least I hope so," I say with a sigh. Daenerys smiles a little and motions to me to walk with her. I start to follow. "We're doing all we can and we have dragons. By the way, I received word from the Golden Company. They are hesitant to follow us," she says.
"That is to be expected. Any way we can convince them?" I ask. Daenerys nods. "There is a way, but it requires that one of us challenges their best fighter. 'A Golden Rite' they said. Well, I can't fight as you well know. I rather not have you fight them, but I know you well enough that you want to do it," she explains. "You know me well. I can win this, love. I trained for a long time with Grey Worm," I assured her.
"I know, my love, but we have Rhaella. The second one is coming. I want their father safe and sound," she says softly. We turn around the corner and start climbing the stairs. "I will not die. We will see them grow up together, Dany. I promise you." Daenerys softly smiles. "I trust you. Just be careful, I will send our response to them."
"Have you talked to Tyrion yet? I know you're bitter about the Lannisters, but perhaps a bit of lenience is warranted?" I ask. Daenerys sighs deeply. "I may have been a bit too harsh," Daenerys reluctantly agrees. "However, many of them could have done something. I will spare the younger members. They can become part of the new house led by Tyrion." I smile. I am glad she is relenting a little bit. "It is for the best, Dany. What are you going to with Tyrion's brother?"
"The sentence remains the same. I do not care about him and he had plenty of opportunities to change. He had his chance," she says. "You're right. He is blinded by love for his sister. He did a lot of questionable things. So, I agree with your opinion." Daenerys nods. "While you were away, Margaery asked to speak with us."
"What did she wish to talk about?" I ask. Daenerys shrugs. "She did not tell, but I suspect that it is about her family and the Reach. I think she has been corresponding with Highgarden." That is interesting. If we could get their help earlier, it may become easier to take Westeros. "It would help us greatly to get them on our side. Also, I am part of House Nymeros-Martel. They will side with us," I add. "True, I hope they will."
—
We soon meet with Margaery. In the last few days, her condition has improved. I am glad that the healers were able to help. She still struggles, but moving around has become easier for her. As Margaery takes a seat, she takes a few breaths to calm her body. 
"How are you doing, lady Margaery?" Daenerys asks gently. "I am doing better, Your Grace. I am very grateful for the care you provide for me," Margaery says. Her voice doesn't hide how grateful she is. "Of course, we are happy to help. You wish to talk to us?" Margaery nods.
"I did. My grandmother, Olenna Tyrell, and I have been exchanging letters. We are willing to fully support you, Your Grace. The Reach will stand with you," Margaery says. Daenerys smiles appreciatively. "We are very grateful, lady Margaery. May I ask who rules the Reach?" Daenerys asks. 
Margaery lets out a sigh. "My brothers died at the hands of Cersei. Therefore, I am the rightful heir of Mace but Olenna rules in my stead for now," she says. Daenerys nods as she thinks. "Is it possible I could ask that Olenna discusses an alliance with the Martels? My husband is the son of Elia Martel. They should be willing to help us," she says. "I will ask her. It should be doable. Your Grace, I do however ask you for certain concessions. Our family has suffered in pointless wars. I admit that it is partly our fault, but we hope to gain some relief."
Daenerys was about to answer, but I stop her by placing a hand on her hand. "We can't give you that relief after we defeat Cersei, lady Margaery. When we land in Westeros, we will fight Cersei as you well know. But that is not all. We will need to fight for our survival," I answer. Daenerys and Margaery frown in confusion. "How do you mean, Your Grace? Do you know something about the plan of Cersei?" She asks.
I shake my head. "Do you know of Jon Snow?" I ask. She nods. "The bastard of Eddard Stark. I believe he is Lord Commander of the Night's Watch," she says. I nod. "Half of what you said is true. As part of the Night's Watch, he stumbled on an enemy. The most terrifying enemy you can imagine. The dead. Walking corpses with inhuman creatures that command them with ice powers. We need to defeat them or we will all die," I say.
"The dead?" Daenerys and Margaery ask in confusion. I nod, looking at both with a hardened face. "This is not some joke. They are coming. You need to believe me, my lady." Margaery seems confused and does not seem to believe me. "Your Grace, I don't..." I stand up from my chair and walk towards her at a slow pace.
"I know, how could I possibly know? Lady Margaery, your grandmother talked, well, interrogated Sansa about Joffrey. 'Has he a good heart and a gentle hand?', 'how clever is he', those kind things Olenna asked. With Cersei, you had a rather interesting conversation about House Reyne on the wedding day of Tyrion and Sansa. She would strangle you in your sleep if you called her sister again," I sum up and stop in front of her.
Margaery looks at me with wide eyes in shock. "I do know, lady Margaery. The dead are real." Margaery tries to speak but words fail her as she blinks in shock. She glances at Daenerys for clarification. "My husband is not exactly from this world. He lives in Aegon Targaryens body, but his mind is not from this world. He knows most of what will happen. If he says it is true, it most likely is. I have seen it many times already," Daenerys says. "You will keep this a secret, lady Margaery."
"He... knows everything?" She asks. "No, I did not know you would survive. In the events, I knew you died in the sept. I am glad you're alive, but I had no knowledge of it. Let alone you that you would come here," I answer. "Gods..."
"Yes, it's hard to process. But believe me, we need all the men we have to fight the dead. Afterward, we will help house Tyrell recover where needed," I say. Daenerys sighs but nods. "As long as it is reasonable, my lady. We can't favor one house over the other," she says. "Fighting dead people... do we stand a chance?" Margaery asks. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Daenerys asks. I walk back to my seat and sit down. "No, I don't. I only know of them but I do not know how it will end," I say with a worried tone. "What do these... creatures want? You said they were led by someone?" Daenerys asks. I shrug. "I don't know that either, but they want as many of us dead. That I do know," I answer, "It will not be a problem for a while, but we must keep it in mind. Cersei is bad, but something much worse is out there."