Location: The Red Waste
The Red Waste was a graveyard of civilizations. Red sand stretched endlessly, broken only by the bleached bones of ancient beasts and the twisted ruins of dead cities.
The remnant of Khal Drogo's khalasar—now barely a hundred strong—trudged through the heat. They were starving, dehydrated, and losing hope.
But near the rear of the column, a pristine, climate-controlled bubble existed.
Ren's luxury wagon (the disguised portal to the Pocket Dimension) rolled smoothly over the dunes, its wheels reinforced by System enchantments.
Inside the wagon (which led to the Pocket Dimension Villa), Saya Takagi sat at the kitchen island, sipping iced tea. She looked at the holographic map floating above the table.
"This is inefficient," Saya complained. "The Dothraki are dropping like flies. Daenerys is walking until her feet bleed to show solidarity. We have enough food in here to feed the whole column, Ren. Why are we rationing them?"
Ren stood by the window, watching the digital simulation of the outside world.
"Because a Queen who is fed by charity remains a beggar," Ren said coolly. "She needs to cross the desert. She needs to harden. If I carry her, she never learns to walk."
Ren turned to Saeko, who was polishing the Murasame.
"Besides," Ren added. "We have our own brood to worry about."
Ren waved his hand. From his Inventory, a heavy chest appeared on the table.
He opened it.
Inside sat the three petrified dragon eggs from Valyria. They were larger than Daenerys's eggs.
The Obsidian One: Pitch black with veins of magma red.
The Cobalt One: Deep blue, cold to the touch.
The Bone-White One: Rough, looking like pale limestone.
"Why didn't you put these in the fire?" Saeko asked, touching the Obsidian egg. "You could have six dragons now."
"And who would they call Mother?" Ren asked. "Daenerys walked into the fire. The magic bonded to her. If I threw these in, we'd have six dragons following her."
Ren placed a hand on the Obsidian egg. His Flame of the Sovereign passive warmed the stone, making it hum faintly.
"These are for us," Ren said. "I need a different power source. Daenerys used blood magic and sacrifice. I intend to use pure magical density. When we get to Qarth... the warlocks have a tower filled with ancient magic. We'll use that."
"So, we steal their magic?" Hirano grinned from the couch, cleaning his M4. "I like that plan."
Outside, the sun was setting. The khalasar made camp.
Daenerys sat on a rug, feeding raw meat to her three small dragons. They hissed and snapped, tiny plumes of flame cooking the flesh.
She looked gaunt. Her lips were cracked.
Ren walked out of his wagon, looking infuriatingly healthy. He carried a silver tray with a single glass of cold water and a bowl of fresh stew.
He sat down across from her.
"Eat," Ren said, sliding the tray over.
Daenerys looked at the water. She wanted to grab it and gulp it down. But she looked at her dragons, then at her handmaidens (Irri and Jhiqui), who were also starving.
"My people are hungry," Daenerys rasped.
"Your people follow strength," Ren said. "If you die, the dragons die. Eat."
Daenerys hesitated, then took the water. She drank slowly, disciplining herself.
"You have food," Daenerys said, wiping her mouth. "You have magic tents. Yet you let us suffer."
"I let you struggle," Ren corrected. "There is a difference. I am protecting you from your enemies, Daenerys. I am not your nanny."
He leaned forward.
"I sent my riders out," Ren revealed. "Maggie and Andrea. They found a city three days ride from here. Qarth. The greatest city that ever was or will be. Or so they claim."
"Qarth?" Daenerys sat up straighter. "Will they let us in?"
"They will see a girl with three dragons and a Dothraki horde," Ren said. "They will see a threat. But..."
Ren's eyes glowed blue.
"They haven't met me yet."
The Gates of Qarth
Three days later, the crumbling walls of the Red Waste gave way to the massive, intricate gates of Qarth.
The Thirteen—the ruling council of the city—stood outside the gates, flanked by their sorrowful men guards.
Daenerys stood at the front, flanked by her bloodriders and Jorah. Ren stood slightly behind her, with his Harem Squad fully geared up in their "Asshai" noble disguises (which concealed Kevlar vests and sidearms).
"I am Daenerys Stormborn," she announced, her voice trying to project royal authority despite her ragged clothes. "I ask for shelter for my people."
The Spice King, a fat man with heavy jewelry, sneered. "And we ask to see the dragons."
"I am not a mummer," Daenerys said angrily. "I will not show you my children for your amusement."
"Then you may starve in the Garden of Bones," the Spice King shrugged. "Qarth is closed to beggars."
Daenerys looked desperate. She looked at Jorah. Jorah had no plan.
She looked at Ren.
Ren sighed. "Boring."
He stepped forward. He walked past Daenerys.
"Who is this?" The Spice King asked, looking at the tall man in black robes. "A slave?"
"I am Ren," he said. "And I have a low tolerance for bureaucracy."
Ren looked at the massive gates of Qarth. They were reinforced steel and stone.
"You won't open the door?" Ren asked.
"No," The Spice King said.
"Fine."
Ren raised his right hand.
[Skill: Titan Hardening (Partial - Arm)]
His arm was instantly encased in white crystal armor.
[Skill: Limit Breaker (Strength)]
Ren punched the air.
[Skill: Telekinesis (Force Cannon)]
He combined the kinetic force of the punch with a telekinetic blast.
BOOM.
The air rippled. The massive steel gates of Qarth didn't just open; they were blasted off their hinges. The metal groaned and twisted, flying backward into the city streets with a deafening crash.
Dust billowed. The Thirteen cowered, covering their heads. The Sorrowful Men drew their weapons in panic.
Ren lowered his hand, the crystal armor dissolving into steam.
He walked up to the Spice King, who was trembling on the ground.
"The gate is open," Ren said calmly. "We accept your invitation."
A tall, dark-skinned man with jewels woven into his beard stepped forward, clapping slowly.
Xaro Xhoan Daxos.
"Magnificent," Xaro said, eyes gleaming with greed. "Truly magnificent. Qarth has never seen such power. Please, enter. My home is your home."
Ren looked at Xaro. The traitor.
"Careful with your hospitality, Xaro," Ren warned as he walked past. "My appetite is larger than you think."
The Garden of Geodes
Xaro's palace was lavish. He gave Daenerys a wing for her people.
Ren, however, demanded the East Wing for himself.
That night, Ren gathered his team in the main hall of their wing.
"Status," Ren barked.
"The city is a trap," Saya Takagi reported, looking at a map of Qarth she had drawn. "Xaro is broke. His vault is empty. He wants to marry Daenerys to steal the dragons."
"And the Warlocks?" Ren asked.
"Creepy," Saeko said. "I saw one. Blue lips. He watched us. He didn't look at Daenerys's dragons. He looked at... you."
Ren nodded. "Pyat Pree. The Warlocks feed on magic. The dragons brought magic back, but I am a walking battery of mana. They want to harvest me."
Ren grinned.
"Good. Because I want their tower."
He turned to Shizuka.
"Shizuka, stay with Daenerys. Watch the dragons. If Xaro or Pyat Pree try to take them, scream."
"I can do that!" Shizuka nodded.
"The rest of you," Ren looked at his combat team. "Tonight, we're going to a party. But tomorrow... we're going to the House of the Undying."
Ren pulled out the chest with the Three Valyrian Eggs.
"These little guys are hungry," Ren whispered. "And I'm going to feed them the Warlocks' souls."
[Quest Generated: The Warlock's Tower.]
[Objective: Infiltrate the House of the Undying.]
[Objective: Kill the Undying Ones.]
[Reward: Hatching of the 3 Sovereign Dragons.]
[Reward: Magic Skill Book (Warlock Arts).]