Chapter Thirty-Nine

                                    

                                          
Doreah leads me towards Daenerys' tent. I'm relieved to be out of Visarys gaze, it felt like he was a snake waiting to strike.
                          
Daenerys' tent is just as it was in my dream conversations with her. Warm, covered in any luxury the Dothraki valued.
                          
She sits at a chair as her handmaids braid her hair. She wears an outfit similar to mine.
                          
"Nyla!" She smiles, my heart skips and I smile too. "Doreah said that my brother was speaking to you, I thought I we could enter the festivities together. You look amazing."
                          
"Thank you, your highness." I clear my throat. "I'm not deserving of your kindness."
                          
She shakes her head as the servants finish. "This may be strange to say... but you are my greatest friend Nyla. I want the world for you."
                          
I feel tears well. "I feel the same Khaleesi. I want the world for you."
                          
She stands up and hugs me. "Come, let's go to the feast together. The Khal is there already."
                          
Its as if on cue I hear the thrumming of Dothraki drums and singing. Daenerys takes my arm and we exit the tent together, the handmaids trailing behind us. 
                          
We enter a large clearing, many Dothraki men sit around on the edge. With low tables full of food in front of them.
                          
Cheers erupt when we enter the clearing. Daenerys leads us toward her husband, she sits beside him, and I lower myself next to her on a cushion.
                          
"How strange," I mumble into her ear. "Everything is so different."
                          
She smiles. "I've become quite accustomed to it. I look forward to the day that we can feast together in Westeros fashion, on the land of my father."
                          
Khal Drogo raises his cup and the feast begins. The food is different and spicier than I am used to, but it's good, and it feels amazing to be able to eat my fill.
                          
Dravor sits beside me and I smile.
                          
"Where have you been?"
                          
He clears his throat and leans to whisper in my ear. "The Dragon prince wanted to speak with me."
                          
I nod, I am not surprised that Visarys would want to interrogate Dravor about me. As if reading my thoughts, Visarys and Ser Jorah sit beside Dravor.
                          
"I'm glad you had such a man to protect you on your journey Lady Nyla." Says Visarys. "He is a good man."
                          
I nod. "I would not have made it here alive if it were not for Dravor."
                          
Visarys and Ser Jorah start to talk to one another, and I catch Dravor staring.
                          
"What is it?"
                          
He awkwardly starts to take food. "Nothing. Just the first time you actually look like a girl is all."
                          
I chuckle. "Hopefully my hair grows longer fast."
                          
Daenerys touches my shoulder gently. "I must thank the man who guided you here safely to me."
                          
I nod and touch Dravor's shoulder. "This is Dravor, he is the first mate to the fabric merchant captain who helped me cross the narrow sea. It was only after my persisting that Dravor decided to personally guide and protect me from Pentos to here."
                          
Dravor bows his head slightly. "It's an honour Khaleesi."
                          
She smiles. "For me as well Dravor. I'm eternally grateful and we will make sure that you and your Captain are fully compensated."
                          
He nods. "Thank you, Khaleesi."
                          
I feel a little sad. "Will you be leaving back to Pentos so soon Dravor?"
                          
He chews thoughtfully on some meat. "I will stay another day or two, then I will leave for the trip back to Pentos."
                          
I eat a little more food. "I really am so thankful Dravor. You're a true friend."
                          
He smiles a little. "Yes well, Nyles... Nyla. You're a stubborn one, but it will be hard to leave you here, in a place of strangers."
                          
"I'm safe here. The Khaleesi won't let anything happen to me. I promise."
                          
I turn to Daenerys who smiles brightly at me. "Are you enjoying the food?"
                          
I nod excitedly. "Its very different Khaleesi, but I do enjoy it very much."
                          
She beams and passes me some sort of baked good. "Here try this. I'm not sure what it's called in the common tongue, but it's one of my favourites."
                          
I take a bite, and I can tell why she likes it so much, a tangy-sweet fruit inside of a flaky pastry. "It's delicious!" I say with my mouth full.
                          
She laughs. I hope I can hear her laugh all the time.
                          
The Khal turns toward us and asks something to his Khaleesi. 
                          
She turns toward me. I can tell she feels awkward asking. "He says he knows you are the last remaining member of the warrior family Firebearer. He is wondering if you are married. He says that some of his blood riders have asked as well."
                          
I pause, unsure of how to answer. "I was married, to a man named Jory Cassel. He was killed by Jamie Lannister, the Kingslayer."
                          
She translates, and he seems angry. He says something to me in Dothraki, and Daenerys translates.
                          
"The Kingslayer, he killed my Khaleesi's father as well. I will kill this man with my bare hands, to avenge my Khaleesi and you as well. Will you marry again? Any of my bloodriders would make fine husbands."
                          
I shift awkwardly. "I'm honoured Khal Drogo, but... I don't wish to marry another man until my husband is avenged."
                          
He nods after Daenerys translates my answer.
                          
"He respects that." Translates Daenerys. "Revenge is an important part of the Dothraki culture, he will explain this to his Bloodriders and anyone else who asks after you."
                          
I sigh in relief. I don't know if I could handle another pressured marriage or another husband in general.
                          
Daenerys places a gentle hand on my arm. "I'm sorry Nyla. The Dothraki are harsh. I'm sorry if you didn't want to talk about your husband."
                          
I shake my head. "Its alright Khaleesi. I think it's good to talk about him. It makes my resolve stronger. I don't want to forget him, and the more people who know about him, the less his name will be forgotten."
                          
She smiles a small smile, one of kindness and understanding. "Of course, tell me of him, and I will never forget him, his memory will live on."
                          
Her kindness is touching, how can someone be so thoughtful? So caring? "He was so kind. Lady Stark insisted that we hold a ball in my honour to find me a husband..." I tell her the details of our marriage, she cries with me, laughs with me, and we talk about Jory until I'm sure his memory can live on through us.
                          
"You were with me after he was killed," I whisper. "The Kingslayer would have killed me too if it was not for you. I will kill him for killing Jory."
                          
She nods a dark and unfamiliar look covers her face. "I will be there when you do."