Ser Jorah had protected her when she was most vulnerable. She had regretted exiling him almost immediately, but she'd had no news of him since.
Now, he had returned, just as she was in danger again. It was all the proof of loyalty she needed.
"Bring him to me," Daenerys said, a genuine smile on her face. "I'll wait for him here."
Daario, standing nearby, just shrugged. He wasn't jealous. He knew Jorah loved the queen, but he was the queen's lover.
Ser Barristan, however, looked guilty. It was his revelation about Jorah's past spying that had led to the exile in the first place.
Soon, Jorah was brought to the terrace. He looked much older, worn down by his time away. When he saw Daenerys, his eyes filled with tenderness, and he nearly wept.
He dropped to one knee, his voice trembling. "Your Majesty... I know I was wrong. I'm begging you to forgive me. I swear, I'll only be loyal to you for the rest of my life."
Daenerys hurried forward and took his hands, pulling him to his feet.
"It's so good to see you again, Jorah," she said, her voice full of emotion. "I'm so grateful you came back, especially now. I knew I could still count on you!"
Jorah was too moved to speak. Daenerys officially welcomed him back into her service, restoring his command alongside Ser Barristan.
Suddenly, a great commotion rose from outside the city.
The Dothraki were moving. A black sea of riders, waving their arakhs and shouting, was gathering for an attack.
"Alert!" Grey Worm shouted.
The thud of thousands of sandals hit the stone as the Unsullied, shields and spears ready, lined the entire city wall.
A group of riders broke away from the main army, stopping just outside arrow range. Their leader, a Khal, raised his curved blade and shouted at Daenerys on the wall.
"Surrender, woman!" he bellowed. "After Drogo died, I should have dragged you to Vaes Dothrak myself, to live with the Dosh Khaleen! Open your gates now, or our army of 100,000 will bring you nothing but sorrow and death!"
Daenerys's hands clenched into fists. She recognized that arrogant, familiar face.
"Jhaqo," she spat, her voice low and full of hate.
He had been one of Khal Drogo's bloodriders. When Drogo fell ill, Jhaqo betrayed him, taking tens of thousands of warriors to form his own khalasar. Back then, he had sent riders after her, trying to capture her and force her into widow-slavery with the Dosh Khaleen. She had barely escaped.
Seeing him again, her purple eyes burned with anger.
"Jhaqo! How dare you betray Drogo? How do you still have the face to see me? For what you did to my khas, I will have blood for blood!"
Jhaqo laughed, his expression full of contempt. "Nonsense, woman! A Khal who can't ride is no Khal. Drogo was finished! We follow the strong. It's the Dothraki way. Everyone knows this!"
He pointed his arakh at her. "Hurry up and open the gates! What you did in Slaver's Bay has made all the Khals angry. We're here to destroy your rule. Surrender now, and for Drogo's sake, I'll spare your life. I'll just send you to the Dosh Khaleen.
"But if you don't," he roared, "my warriors will trample this city, and I'll cut off your beautiful head myself! Surrender!"
"Surrender?" Daenerys sneered. "Never."
She turned her head to the sky and shouted in pure dragon language: "Drogon!"
A deafening roar answered her.
A massive black shadow passed over the city. Drogon appeared, hovering protectively above her.
Then, Viserion (silver) and Rhaegal (green) joined him. The three dragons circled, roaring at the Dothraki army below.
The sight of three living dragons sent a wave of pure terror through the Dothraki. The 100,000-man army screamed and began to break formation, their horses rearing in panic.
Even Jhaqo and the other Khals looked up, their faces pale with fear.
Drogon flapped his great wings and landed slowly on the massive city wall. The disciplined Unsullied soldiers nearby quickly moved aside, giving him space. Drogon stretched his long, serpentine neck and let out an intimidating roar that echoed across the entire battlefield.
Daenerys walked straight to her dragon. She grabbed his scales and fearlessly climbed onto his back.
Her advisors' blood ran cold.
"No!" Ser Barristan shouted. "Your Majesty, don't!"
Jorah, Daario, and Grey Worm all cried out, trying to stop her.
She looked down at them from atop the dragon. "All of you, lead your soldiers!" she commanded. "When I create chaos, you will sally out and attack!"
Before they could argue, Daenerys gave Drogon the order.
With a powerful leap, Drogon jumped from the wall, flapping his wings and climbing rapidly into the sky. Jorah and the others watched, horrified but awestruck. They had their orders. They turned to command the army, waiting for the signal.
Daenerys clung to Drogon's scales, the wind whipping her silver hair. She looked down at the 100,000 Dothraki, now a mass of chaos.
Drogon roared and swooped down, diving toward the enemy army.
Viserion and Rhaegal followed close behind.
"The dragon!" a Khal screamed. "It's coming!"
"Archers! Shoot it!" Jhaqo shouted, his voice cracking. "Shoot them! Shoot them down!"
The Khals, pale with terror, ordered their men to fire into the sky.
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