lerbook #165 - Chapter 11: Marriage
#165 - Chapter 11: Marriage
Pentos Cliffside Palace, due to its good relationship with Drogo's khalasar, was vacated by the Iron Riders.
Today, it is exceptionally lively, hosting the wedding of Drogo, the Khal. Since he took over his father's khalasar six years ago, through his meticulous management, it has become the most powerful khalasar in the Dothraki Sea, boasting 110,000 members, with over 40,000 mounted warriors, half of whom are Screaming Warriors.
Moreover, due to his cooperation with Liu Yuan, his weaponry is also the best. It's not that the Dothraki don't wear armor, but they lack the craftsmanship to create it, and captured armor hinders their performance on horseback. Liu Yuan has specially prepared a half-body leather cuirass for them, with a design similar to security guards' stab-resistant vests. The outermost layer features square armor plates fixed with rivets, available in both hardened leather and iron, providing good defense against arrows.
Drogo, the Khal, sat expressionlessly at the highest point, while merchants and nobles continuously stepped forward to present gifts, expressing their congratulations! These gifts were displayed before the bride and groom, then carried to the rear by Dothraki warriors for inventory. As for whether these items were useful? He didn't care, as they would later be traded with the Sun and Moon Legion for resources needed by the khalasar.
His gaze shifted to the silver-haired woman before him, recalling what Illyrio had told him not long ago: "Great Khal Drogo, behold this beautiful maiden, she possesses the purest blood of the Valyrian dragonlord family. She is of the same kin as Commander Galon, and the blood of the Valyrians holds mysterious power. You have witnessed Commander Galon's formidable physique and unparalleled strength. If you can marry this woman, Daenerys will surely bear you the strongest children."
It was this that moved him, leading Drogo to defy tribal opposition and break tradition by marrying a foreign woman.
"His horse is as swift as the wind, his khalasar behind him can cover the entire earth, his warriors are countless, and the arakh in their hands are as sharp as芒grass."
"The prince will be as fierce as a storm, his enemies will struggle endlessly before him, the wives of his enemies will weep in sorrow, wailing in despair."
"The bells in his hair sing of his arrival, and those who dwell in stone tents will fear his renown."
"The prince rides a horse, he will become the stallion who mounts the world!"
'The stallion who mounts the world' is a Dothraki prophecy, foretelling the birth of a khalakka, bearing a destined fate. He will become the most powerful Khal in history, leading the Dothraki to conquer the world. The prophecy has been passed down in song for generations, and all Dothraki firmly believe in it.
Thinking of this, Drogo felt a surge of excitement. He looked at Daenerys with eyes full of desire.
Daenerys, still a young girl, was filled with unease. The Dothraki's rough cuisine, the warriors fighting below for women, and the silent husband behind her filled her with fear for the future.
Viserys leaned over and asked, "When can I speak with the Khal about the matter of sending troops? It needs to be discussed."
Illyrio said, "Since the Khal has promised to give you a crown, he will not break his word."
Viserys: "Then when will he give it to me?"
Illyrio: "Your Majesty, according to Dothraki tradition, it must wait until they receive guidance from the gods as to whether it is appropriate to launch a war."
Viserys said dissatisfiedly: "Damn Dothraki omens, I've been waiting all this time. It's been seventeen years, I don't want to wait any longer!"
Illyrio: "Your Majesty, since you have waited seventeen years, you might as well wait a little longer. All painful experiences are worthwhile."
At this moment, a tall middle-aged man came forward, holding some books. This man first spoke with Drogo in Dothraki, seemingly praising the Khal's achievements. Then he placed the books at Daenerys' feet: "Here are the history of the Seven Kingdoms and some ballads and legends, presented to the new Khaleesi in celebration."
Daenerys was quite interested in him and asked, "Ser, are you a subject from my homeland?"
The man puffed out his chest and said, "I am Ser Jorah Mormont from Bear Island, who followed the late King for many years. May the gods protect you, I wish to serve the son of the true dragon forever." Then he bowed and retreated. Viserys stared at him with burning eyes, increasingly believing that he was the true dragon, and that a knight had traveled thousands of miles to follow him.
Illyrio snapped his fingers a few times, and his servants carried up a large box. When opened, it contained three dragon eggs, displaying black, white, and green colors. However, they were at least two sizes smaller than the dragon eggs Liu Yuan had discovered, and there were signs of petrification at the bottom of the shells.
"Daenerys, these are dragon eggs from the Shadow Lands. Although they have become fossils over the years, they are still bright and moving," Illyrio praised, not hiding the preciousness of the dragon eggs. These three dragon eggs were found by Varys in the ruins of Summerhall with great effort. It is said that there were seven in total during the great fire, but the other four have been missing for decades. Illyrio's excuse was that he had found them in Asshai at great expense.
Viserys, who was sitting aside, could no longer hide the excitement in his heart. Those were dragon eggs! If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, he would have snatched them.
Seeing the sun setting in the west, Drogo, the Khal, stood up. With just a glance at Daenerys, she immediately got up and followed Drogo behind him somewhat uneasily. The gifts received would naturally be collected by the Dothraki warriors.
The closed box blocked Viserys's greedy gaze, sobering him up a bit. He silently walked forward and whispered to Daenerys: "My dear sister, tonight is your chance to perform. This is related to whether we can go home, be sure to do everything you can to please him."
Drogo brought a beautiful white mare and personally helped Daenerys onto its back. Then he mounted his own black stallion, and they left along the beach, leading the mare.
In Dothraki culture, all important events in life should be under the sky, witnessed by the stars and moon.
They arrived at a deserted beach at dusk. Drogo seemed very satisfied with this place, and spread out the cashmere blanket he had brought on a flat reef. He carried Daenerys onto it, and took off her ornaments one by one...