Chapter Forty-Six

                                    

                                          
I wake up as soon as the first tendrils of sunlight peak through the cracks of my tent. I get dressed and strap my sword to my side.
                          
Ser Jorah is outside of my tent, as promised, but he looks surprised to see me. "Lady Nyla. Good morning." 
                          
I nod and stifle a yawn. "Good morning Ser."
                          
He motions for me to walk with him. "Let's breakfast before we do any training."
                          
I nod and we walk side by side in the camp. Mostly its slaves working about, brushing and watering horses and cooking food for their masters over low fires.
                          
Ser Jorah and I approach one such fire, and a slave quickly offers us up some porridge-like breakfast. 
                          
After we eat I can't help but feel anxious to start. "What's first Ser Jorah?"
                          
He chuckles and sits up with a groan. "Come."
                          
I follow him for ways, eventually, we come to where the Dothraki riders train. There are men and boys shooting at practice dummies from atop their horses, and some others that practice precise movements of their curved swords in deadly movements.
                          
He sighs. "They are going to battle today, another Khal's Khalisar was spotted, and Khal Drogo is ordering an attack in a few hour's time."
                          
I nod. "I suppose it's the first step in taking the Iron Throne."
                          
He looks at me curiously. "When you look at these men, what do you see?"
                          
I don't understand, he's trying to trick me, make me look stupid. "Dothraki."
                          
"Beyond that."
                          
I look at the boys, some of them younger than Bran back at Winterfell. They all have black hair, brown skin, almond eyes. Some joke and smile with each other. "They're a people, different than the people of Westeros, but still people. Her People, Daenerys'."
                          
"What will happen today when the battle rages, what happens before, during, after?"
                          
I pause, I don't like these strange questions.
                          
"You are not totally ignorant of the ways of war child." He sighs.
                          
"They will kill, some will be killed, I'm sure that Khal Drogo will take the other Khal's women and slaves as his own slaves, then we move on."
                          
"There is a village, a village of lamb people, they're called, not far from here, where the battle will take place. What will become of them?"
                          
I sigh. "I don't know. I'm sure they will become slaves too. Their village burned."
                          
He nods.
                          
"I'm sorry Ser Jorah. But what does this have to do with my training?"
                          
He sighs. "It has everything to do with your training." He turns toward me and points towards my sword. "If you don't know why men use weapons maybe you shouldn't wield one."
                          
"They would weapons to protect, to avenge..." I'm desperate to get this right. To impress him.
                          
"So Khal Drogo is killing the other Dothraki to protect himself?"
                          
"No..." I feel very young, all of a sudden. "He..."
                          
Ser Jorah puts a hand on my shoulder. "After the battle maybe you will understand." His look is not unkind. "Maybe after the battle, you will never want to hold that sword again."
                          
I'm angry, he doesn't understand, he doesn't know.
                          
I push his hand away. "You don't think I know anything. I may not know anything about the Dothraki ways of war. But I know death, I know the cruelty of men. I've seen it!"
                          
His eyes look sad. "So you've been in a battle? You've killed a man?"
                          
I dare not tell him of my dreams.
                          
"I saw the Kingslayer fight my husband in the streets of Kingslanding. He plunged a dagger with his free hand into Jory's eye and his body fell to the ground." The angry is flowing, and tears fall. 
                          
He looks at me for a long moment. "He was protecting you and his lord?"
                          
I nod.
                          
"An honourable way to leave this world, protecting the people he loves most."
                          
"I don't care about all this talk." I spit. "Teach me how to use my sword, so I can protect myself, protect her!"
                          
"I will, but I want you to witness this battle first. See what the Dotraki do when they win a battle."
                          
When the battle eventually rages on I stay with Daenerys, far, far away from any danger.
                          
I look at her, beautiful as always, but a worried look spreads across her face. She's worried about her husband, no doubt.
                          
"You've been quiet all day." She says to me. "What's bothering you?"
                          
I sigh. "Ser Jorah refuses to teach me any real techniques today. Just spoke to me in cryptic riddles."
                          
She gives me a sympathetic smile. "He is a great swordsman, maybe it's all part of becoming a good warrior, what did he teach you?"
                          
I shake my head. "He asked me if I knew what would happen in today's battle, what would happen after..." I fiddle with my sword. "Maybe if he let me come with him... I could've squired for him."
                          
Daenerys gasps. "Absolutely not." She grabs my hand. "I believe in your ability in battle, but you should not risk your life unnecessarily." She sighs. "Besides, you're only learning, you aren't ready."
                          
I know better than to argue with my princess, she is fiercely stubborn.
                          
"He's the only one here that can teach me, he is the only one who will teach me. The Dothraki do not believe women should fight."
                          
She thinks for a moment. "But they do respect strength above all else. Train with Ser Jorah, get stronger, better, then the Dotraki will respect you."
                          
As if summoned by his name, Ser Jorah enters the tent. He is dressed in his entire suit of armour, all but his helm. He looks like a true knight, it makes me miss home, I'm also a little jealous.
                          
"Pardons Khaleesi. Khal Drogo was won the battle, he wishes to see you."
                          
She stands with some help from me. "Was he harmed in the battle?"
                          
He shakes his head. "Only a few scratches I heard."
                          
She smiles. "Let's go to him."
                          
I walk with her to her horse, and mount mine. As we ride toward the village of the lamb people, Jorah turns to me.
                          
"Your first lesson. The aftermath of battle, prepare your mind and heart child, it is not pleasant."