Chapter Eight - Daenerys 1 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)

Daenerys is sailing the Summer Sea watching her dragons grow. She receives ambiguous reports of the kind of men her father and eldest brother were, advice from Ser Jorah as to her next move, and possibly unwanted advances from Mormont. Simon and Mackelly weigh up the suitors and their suits.

Chapter Review:
Daenerys Targaryen watches her dragons play above the three ships that bear her west towards Pentos, slowly. The dragons are growing, but remain more of a liability than an asset. In her honor, the three ships have been renamed for dragons of Aegon the Conqueror and his sister wives: Balerion, Meraxes, and Vhagar.

Arstan Whitebeard provides some dragon-lore from his time in King’s Landing where he knew both her father and her brother Rhaegar. He treads carefully, but it’s not hard to see his true feelings about King Aerys. And unlike most people, he has a nuanced view of Rhaegar. “Able above all else” is not the most ringing endorsement.

Ser Jorah warns her to beware of Arstan - something’s not right about him. But Dany has too few friends to doubt those who’ve saved her life. Ser Jorah proposes a plan to both test Illyrio Mopatis’ loyalty to Dany, and to ensure it. They’ll redirect for Astapor, sell all Mopatis’ goods on the ships, and use that money to buy an army of Unsullied - the finest warriors in Essos - with whom they’ll march to Pentos.

Dany likes the plan and Ser Jorah celebrates by kissing her unbidden. A tense moment ensues.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros.
Viserion, Rhaegal, and Drogon - Daenerys’ dragons. The size of small dogs.
Ser Jorah Mormont - Exiled former Lord of Bear Island. Daenerys’ Lord Commander of her Queensguard and loyal advisor.
Illyrio Mopatis - Wealthy merchant of Pentos who cared for the young Daenerys and her brother Viserys.
Strong Belwas - Fighter sent by Mopatis to bring Daenerys safely to Pentos.
Arstan Whitebeard - Westerosi squire to Strong Belwas. Seems to know a lot about King’s Landing and the Targaryens.
Pentos - City on the west coast of Essos.
Summer Sea - Sea to the south of Essos.
Unsullied - Eunuch slave soldiers. Renowned for their fighting prowess. 
 
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