After meeting Euron, Daenerys grew even more determined to leave Qarth immediately.
While wizards might exist elsewhere, Qarth was the stronghold of the warlocks.
*Mmp, there's even a whole district filled with warlocks—Warlock's Way.*
*This place is too creepy. Let's go to a magic-free city with nothing but swords, spears, and axes.*
Xaro was deeply frustrated by this. He had brought Daenerys to Euron's house to show her the magic, hoping to preserve a sliver of hope—that she could ask the warlocks for help once they rose to power.
Just as the Dothraki were outfitting the camel caravan, Great Warlock Pyat, whom Daenerys hadn't seen in a long time, approached her.
In truth, he had been waiting for her, for her to come to him for help. He knew the royalty and the great merchants would never truly aid her.
After being rebuffed by the girl who coveted the Iron Throne, she would inevitably place her last hope in the warlocks and their mysterious powers.
Pyat waited and waited, finally hearing news of Daenerys's impending departure from Qarth. The fishing platform suddenly felt like a red-hot anvil, and he couldn't sit still any longer.
"Mother of Dragons," Pyat said, handing her a thin booklet, "you wished to study the spells of Ancient Valyria, did you not? Here are some notes by a senior warlock on the Valyrian magical language."
Ser Jorah snatched the book before Daenerys could. He glanced at the Blue-Lipped Wizard with a blank expression before lowering his gaze to examine the text.
After a long while, having detected no curse and confirmed that the pages indeed contained an analysis of ancient Valyrian spells—written in Valyrian script—he handed the booklet to Daenerys.
*Hmm, spells and everyday language are two entirely different systems. The writing, pronunciation, and level of expression are completely different.*
Pyat Pree, unfazed by Jorah's wariness, smiled and explained, "Khaleesi, you have visited the Royal Thousand Thrones Hall and been a guest in the homes of the Thirteen, yet you have never graced the House of the Undying.
I now formally invite you.
I promise to introduce you to the great Undying, who will surely bestow upon you endless wisdom and the eternal truths of the world."
"But I've heard many warlocks haven't even seen the Undying," Daenerys said skeptically.
"Ha! Many subjects never have the chance to meet the king in their lifetime. Does that negate the king's existence?" Pyat Pree laughed proudly.
*That's somewhat logical. But it makes me even more hesitant to go.*
"Is it true that the House of the Undying can grant the Undying eternal life?" she asked.
Pyat Pree remained silent for a long moment before speaking solemnly, "The House of the Undying is said to have intercepted a section of the River of Time, allowing them to freeze time and glimpse the future—a legend I cannot confirm.
I wouldn't deceive you. Facing the Undying, even the Great Warlock appears insignificant."
"I am deeply grateful for your invitation, Great Warlock," Daenerys said, her face filled with genuine regret, "but... the wisdom of the occult cannot help me reclaim my throne. I hold a girl's naive fantasy about magic, but as a Targaryen, Westeros is my reality."
"A visit to the House of the Undying to meet the Undying wouldn't take long," Pyat Pree said, his face hardening as if frost had settled upon it.
"Hahaha, Great Warlock, please return first. In a few days, I will bring the Khaleesi to the House of the Undying," the wealthy merchant Xaro interjected, seeking to smooth things over.
Pyat Pree gave him a deep look, bowed to Daenerys, and said, "I await your arrival."
With that, he turned and left.
"You want me to go to the House of the Undying?" Daenerys glanced at Xaro and said coolly, "Earlier you said, 'The Warlock's house is built on bones and lies.'"
"Ah, you misunderstand me!" The plump merchant waved his hand, smiling. "I mean, we should leave Qarth tomorrow and head to the Jade Sea. We'll sail around it once, leaving the Warlock and his wretched house far behind."
"Aren't you afraid of the Warlock's magic?" Daenerys asked suspiciously.
"If magic were truly invincible, wizards would rule the world," Xaro said, his eyes gleaming and his tone deepening. "I will leave, but not with you to the Jade Sea."
"Think it over. You might change your mind." Xaro gave her a long look before leaving with his servants.
"Ah, Ser Jorah, sell all the gifts the visitors have given me. We really should leave," Daenerys sighed, turning to Jorah.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Jorah also departed. The maids were playing by the fountain outside, leaving Daenerys alone in the vast hall, where she sat quietly on the divan, lost in thought.
"You should go to the House of the Undying," a female voice suddenly whispered in her ear.
"Who—Quaithe?" Daenerys turned her head to see Quaithe, wearing her wooden mask, standing by the window.
"Good heavens, when did you get here? Why didn't anyone announce you? Where are Doreah and Jhiqui?" Daenerys looked around, but there wasn't a single maid in sight. She could hear the girls' laughter and chatter from outside.
"Daenerys, you should go to the House of the Undying," Quaithe said, as if nothing was out of the ordinary, continuing to talk to herself. "You are special. There, you will see a prophecy that will change your destiny."
"Haven't you noticed you just spoke a grammatically incorrect sentence?" Daenerys's mouth twitched. "If I've already changed my destiny, how can that prophecy still be a prophecy?"
"You don't know the prophecy, so you can't change your destiny. If destiny were fixed, why would we bother seeking the mysteries of prophecy?" Quaithe answered calmly.
*Hmm, that makes some sense.*
"Just tell me the prophecy directly," Daenerys said, being rather cheeky.
"Very well," Quaithe agreed readily. "You refuse Pyat Pree and Xaro, and you leave Qarth with your khalasar. Then a group of mercenaries pursues you. You drive them off, but suffer heavy casualties yourself."
"Uh, are you sure that's a prophecy?"
"This is a prophecy that requires no magical power," Quaithe replied.
*A prophecy without magic? Just wild guessing?*
Daenerys had prepared for the worst herself, but she wasn't worried. Qarth was right next to the Red Waste, and she had dragons!
Not wanting her *khalasar* to suffer heavy losses, she asked, "Will going to the House of the Undying protect me from your 'prophecy'?"
"I don't know," Quaithe replied, saying something that nearly made Daenerys vomit.
"Didn't you just say that seeing the prophecy would allow me to change the future?"
"You can only change your own decisions, but you can never alter human nature or the hearts of men."
Daenerys nodded thoughtfully and said solemnly, "How can I guarantee my safety in the House of the Undying?"
"Bring the Dragon," Quaithe replied with a complex tone. "When the Dragon is near, no sorcerer can harm you with dark magic."
Daenerys's eyes lit up with realization. *That's right—because of the Dragon, the world has magic.*
"Any? Including you?" she asked.
"I have never harbored ill will toward you, Daenerys," Quaithe said softly.
"Khaleesi, who were you talking to?" Jhiqui entered the hall carrying a basket of washed melons, looking around in confusion.
"Quaithe—shit, where did you go?" Daenerys's gaze was only momentarily distracted by the servant at the door. When she turned back, the woman in the lacquered wooden mask had vanished without a trace.
"Did you see Quaithe?" Daenerys asked, leaving the couch and leaning out the window. She saw only a few Dothraki resting in the shade of the trees.
"Quaithe? When did she arrive?" Jhiqui asked, bewildered.
"I was just speaking with her. Did you hear her voice?" Daenerys turned back, her expression serious.
The Dothraki girl shook her head vigorously. "No, I only heard your voice. It sounded like you were talking to yourself, so I asked who you were speaking with."
"This..." Despite the sweltering afternoon heat, Daenerys suddenly shuddered.
"Inform Ser Jorah and have him send a message to the Great Warlock. Tomorrow morning, we go to the House of the Undying."
The House of the Undying was a structure of black-tiled roofs and gray stone walls. Its long, low hall, devoid of towers and windows, coiled through the dim forest like a massive stone serpent coiled around the dark bark of the trees.
Upon closer inspection, multiple roofs had collapsed, tiles scattered across the ground, and the stone walls were covered in mottled, peeling plaster.
*No wonder Xaro always called it the House of Dust,* Daenerys thought. *This is truly a palace on the verge of crumbling into the dust of time.*
"This is the Nightshade Forest," Pyat Pree said, gesturing to the surrounding trees with their black bark and blue leaves. "The Nightshade Water, the magical beverage we warlocks often drink, is made from their leaves. I'll send you a few barrels later—I guarantee you'll fall in love with it."
Daenerys glanced at his blue lips and thought, *If it were crimson, Nightshade Water could replace lipstick and become the ladies' favorite.*
Blue lips were truly hideous, and she had no desire to end up with them.
The Nightshade Forest lay between several streets. The streets were bustling and noisy, while the dark forest was silent and eerie. The sun-drenched neighborhoods were sweltering, but the forest was dim and cool, with a chilling wind that unsettled the heart.
"Blood of my blood!" Jhogo shot Pyat Pree a warning look and said in Dothraki, "This is an evil place, haunted by ghosts and witches. It has drained the bright morning sun—let's leave before it drains our souls."
Ser Jorah also frowned and advised, "This is just a ruin. There's nothing interesting here."
"I think they've spoken very wisely," Xaro said cautiously, showing deference to Pyat Pree.
"Since we've come this far, I won't retreat," Daenerys declared firmly.
The Great Warlock Pyat smiled faintly. "You're a brave child. Come, take my hand, and let me lead the way."
Daenerys took his hand, shaking her head. "I wish I could be a simple, happy child, but I'm not."
Aggo took her other hand, his voice solemn. "We are the blood of your blood, sworn to live and die with you, to fight by your side and protect you from harm. Since you must enter, allow us to accompany you into this dark place."
"I'll go too," Ser Jorah said quickly.
"The Queen must enter alone," Pyat snapped. "Do you think this is some common place? The House of the Undying would never open its doors to mortals.
You spoke the truth earlier: many enter the House of the Undying, but few emerge.
If you weren't servants of the Mother of Dragons, I wouldn't have bothered to dissuade you. Your lives mean nothing to me."
Daenerys shot the warlock a reproachful glance, then turned and spoke softly to Jorah and the Bloodsworn. "Don't worry, I'll be safe. Trust me."
As she spoke, she subtly gestured toward Drogon.
The black dragon would accompany her into the House of the Undying.
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)