CIRCUMVENTING PROMISES
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I found myself standing at the edge of Astapor, my heart pounding in my chest, while the Dothraki guards who had been keeping an eye on my room trailed closely behind. As I gazed into the distance, Daenerys Targaryen's army loomed like a dark cloud on the horizon. Negotiating with her was our only hope to prevent the city's destruction. You see, I had no intention of engaging in a fight with her.

But that wasn't what troubled me. No, Astapor's problems couldn't keep me up at night. I couldn't deny my desire to see an end to slavery, but hey, a deal is a deal.

And then, there she was, the Targaryen princess, approaching with her entourage. Even from afar, I could spot her companions - the Dothraki Khal and Ser Jorah. I couldn't help but marvel at her immense heart. It was almost unbelievable that she still trusted those who had allowed such injustice to befall her. Then again, I started questioning the accuracy of the visions I had seen. Maybe Ser Jorah wasn't involved after all. Come to think of it, what could the knight have done anyway?

As the group drew nearer, my heart raced with a mix of tension and anticipation. Now that they were closer, I could see the tiny creatures shrieking on her shoulders. The third dragon, however, lay calmly on her chest, as she caressed it like her own children (which, in a way, they were).

Through my force sense, I detected an overwhelming surge of power emanating from the third dragon. This had to be Drogon. But no, no, I had to put a stop to that line of thinking. I quickly buried that thought deep within the recesses of my brain. This was a dangerous person I was about to meet - dangerous because she had made me my own biggest threat.

I stepped forward, my mind racing with thoughts of strategy. Sharing my life force with Daenerys had been a huge mistake that I hadn't seen coming. I had unknowingly given her access to my innermost thoughts and intentions. It was a risk I took to save her life, but knowing how stubborn she was, especially when it came to the dragons, it seemed like that decision might cost me dearly.

I cautiously approached Daenerys, trying to maintain confidence even though I knew she could see through any act I put on. As she got closer, her piercing violet eyes bore into me, searching for any sign of weakness or deceit. I could feel her presence hovering within me, a force that I needed to eliminate if I wanted my plans to unfold smoothly.

The group had now stopped about a meter and a half away from me. However, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the three screeching creatures. Daenerys let the silence linger as if giving me time to take in the sight. I could sense her excitement too, for being able to help the dragons hatch.

"My lord, I must thank you," Daenerys began, shifting my attention to the group. Her gaze lingered on the Dothraki companions I had brought with me. "I owe you my life, so I hope you understand why I had them guarding you. I couldn't trust the slavers."

I stared at the girl before me. She was a stark contrast to the slave girl I had healed. Daenerys looked regal, with her silver-blonde hair flowing down her back in loose waves. She wore a flowing gown of deep indigo, adorned with vibrant patterns. The fabric clung to her slender figure, accentuating her graceful curves. The gown's high neckline was embellished with delicate silver embroidery, and the sleeves billowed out at the wrists, adding an ethereal touch to her presence.

With just one glance, she exuded an irresistible combination of beauty and authority. But seriously, I needed to stop these thoughts from consuming me. It was mind-boggling that even my own mind wasn't a haven. I had to take action.

However, her facial expressions didn't give away any hint that she had read my mind. "Thank you for the compliments," she said, shattering my composure in an instant. So, she had indeed picked up on my thoughts.

I looked at her, pretending to be oblivious to her words. A mischievous smile danced on her face, and I knew she saw right through my act. Her companions, on the other hand, seemed clueless about the whole situation.

Enough beating around the bush, I thought. The sooner I addressed the matter at hand, the better.

"Pardon me, my lady, but I fail to comprehend your reference. I'm even shocked by your audacity. Last time I checked, you were my slave."

The word "slave" seemed to strike a nerve, and I regretted seeing a flicker of pain in her eyes. However, she quickly suppressed it, her face regaining its defiant expression.

"And I am grateful for my freedom, my lord. I believe we can all agree that you never intended to enslave me," she retorted, leaving her words hanging in the air. It was as if she dared me to deny it.

Well, that was practically a confession that she knew about my plans. So, I decided to press on.

"I am here to offer you a truce on behalf of the good masters," I declared.

Daenerys raised an eyebrow, adding an extra touch of beauty to her already stunning face. Damn, her beauty seemed to amplify with her stubbornness. I had to snap out of it. How could I not think about it?

Nevertheless, she didn't interrupt me, so I continued.

"You and your army are to withdraw from the vicinity of the city by dawn... or,"

Danaerys stepped forward, breaching the distance between us with a suddenness that caught me off guard. Her eyes locked onto mine, challenging my threats. "Or what, my lord?" she questioned, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. 'We both know you won't follow through with your threats.'

Those last words had been spoken inside my brain. I couldn't believe she had somehow established a telepathic connection with my mind.

My shocked brain refused to surrender so easily, and I continued as if nothing extraordinary had occurred.

"You know full well that the city is under my protection," I asserted confidently. "Even with your armies, you stand no chance of victory."

The reactions of her two companions confirmed that they understood the truth in my words. They must have warned her, but the princess seemed unfazed by their concerns.

"As far as I recall, your promise was to protect the city of Astapor," Danaerys retorted, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I have no qualms with the city itself. It is the masters I have a problem with."

It took a moment for her words to sink in, but then I realized her clever tactic. She had found a way to circumvent the promise I had made. The only reason I had made that promise was to save her, to free her from the clutches of slavery. While I despised slavery as much as she did, I knew better than to let personal matters interfere with my own agenda. This was my path to freedom.

I didn't have to break my word; I could leave her to deal with the masters on her own. After all, I was wasting precious time that should be spent on my journey to Westeros.

Our eyes locked a silent battle of wills. 

"Not a single stone falls from the city," I declared.

Danaerys flashed a smile and assured me, "You have my word." As I began to turn away, her next words hit me like a bolt of lightning, leaving me frozen in place like a statue. Once again, she had managed to communicate telepathically.

"The man is dead, you know; I saw it." Her words hung in my head, sending a chill down my spine.
 chapter 39-53 are now on the patreon below

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