The journey to Qarth passed without major incident, a welcome respite amid the ever-present tension that accompanied the movement of a khalasar. Vlad used the calm to reorganize the logistics of his forces, making sure the newly freed men had provisions and shelter.
Although most of the minor issues during the trip were handled calmly by Daenerys, one particular incident made it clear to everyone that their Khaleesi was made of fire. A Dothraki raped one of the freed slaves, and without hesitation, Daenerys castrated him and forced him to march with the caravan. The man bled out quickly, but Vlad did not intervene. In fact, he approved of the punishment—having his Khaleesi feared and respected was good for morale.
Meanwhile, the dragons continued to grow rapidly thanks to the ritual. They were already close to two meters long after just six months of travel, making it clear that their growth far surpassed that of the original timeline.
The horde moved slowly toward the imposing walls of Qarth. The city was vast and bustling, with enough resources to save Vlad months of travel.
But their arrival did not go unnoticed. The dragons flying overhead caused immediate uproar. Crowds in the streets—tourists, sailors, merchants, and slaves—looked up at the sky, astonished and terrified. However, it was the sight of the khalasar that triggered true panic. A seemingly endless tide of riders marched toward the city, and when word spread that they were led by "the Impaler Lord," civilians began to barricade themselves in their homes.
Despite the distances, news in Essos spread surprisingly fast, and in six months the tales of the "forest of the dead" had already reached from Braavos to Yi Ti.
Still, Xaro Xhoan Daxos, a member of the Thirteen, eagerly awaited their arrival. He hoped the "barbarian" would help him eliminate the other members, making him the de facto king of Qarth. Though Vlad and his dragons' reputation made him uneasy, he knew money could buy allies with ease.
The three merchant guilds of Qarth, along with the Pureborn, prepared tributes—carts laden with precious riches, as if eager to display hospitality. It was, after all, the standard practice in Qarth when the Dothraki came knocking.
Meanwhile, the city's elite gathered on balconies and terraces to witness the arrival of the man many considered a demon, eager to lay eyes on the dragons. The Pureborn also made preparations to receive Vlad and his caravan on the Avenue of Dawn, sending out slaves and clearing the road to allow his entry into the city.
From atop his horse, Vlad gazed at the towering walls of Qarth, waiting for the emissaries to arrive and invite him in. It was standard protocol in such situations. Daenerys, riding beside him, wasn't as relaxed.
—Do not fear. Nothing they do can harm us —he said calmly.
She looked at him for a moment before nodding.
Then, with a mischievous smile on his lips, Vlad added:
—Besides, you might actually enjoy yourself.
Daenerys, surprised by his change in tone, frowned.
—Enjoy myself?
Vlad's smile grew wider.
—Of course. Banquets, parties, wine. It's not every day they welcome a princess. I'm sure they're preparing the palace.
Daenerys could only roll her eyes at her husband's nonsense.
A few minutes later, a small envoy approached from the city, crossing the bronze gates with great ceremony.
Leading them was a thin man with a neatly trimmed beard and blue linen robes, escorted by five spearmen in light armor, slave collars hanging from their necks.
The banner they carried bore the emblem of the Thirteen. The envoy dismounted gracefully and, maintaining a dignified posture clearly rehearsed many times, approached the main group of the khalasar, stopping before Vlad and Daenerys.
Vlad watched him carefully from the saddle. Despite being a Khal, he was dressed with surprising elegance: dark leather trousers covered his legs, and a white linen shirt clung to his chest, giving him a casual yet clean-cut appearance. And on him, everything looked good.
—My lord —said the envoy, offering a deep bow with both hands before him—, the honorable leaders of the Thirteen welcome you to Qarth, the jewel of the south, the threshold of the world, and cordially invite you to enter our city —he said with great fanfare.
—However —he added, still smiling—, for safety and order, we ask that your entry be symbolic: you, your Khaleesi, a few trusted riders… and of course, the dragons are more than welcome. But the bulk of your army must remain camped outside the walls until we can prepare proper accommodations.
Vlad did not respond immediately. He studied the man intensely, then dismounted with a grace that contrasted with his imposing size, taking a few steps toward the envoy.
—Your hospitality is… generous —he said in a deep but courteous voice—. My men seek no conflict. I will enter under the conditions you propose. There is no need to seek housing for my troops. They will wait here.
The envoy seemed to relax slightly, relieved by the unexpected courtesy. Vlad briefly turned to Daenerys, who had been observing the exchange carefully, and offered her his arm like a true gentleman.
—Prepare the escort —he ordered without raising his voice—. Kharon, Talan, and Katar, come with me. The rest stay alert and well-armed, but calm. I don't want a single sword drawn unless I give the order.
The bloodriders nodded and began organizing the small detachment. The envoy, seeing that everything was proceeding smoothly, offered one last bow before returning to his mount.
As the escort regrouped, the gates of Qarth began to open once more.