Chapter 7: The Conqueror's Rise
The sun was setting over the wide, rolling grasslands of Essos, casting a golden glow on the vast camp that had grown around Daenerys and her dragons. Her khalasar had become a force in its own right, not just in numbers but in sheer power. They were no longer simply raiders—they were a conquering army, united under her banner.
But Daenerys knew that to truly solidify her rule, she had to take more than the loyalty of the Dothraki. She needed to command the great cities of Essos. And so, her journey toward conquest had only just begun.
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The Silk Road and the City of Volantis
The city of Volantis, one of the great Free Cities of Essos, had long been a symbol of wealth and power. It was a city of vast stone walls, glittering markets, and merchants who sold every luxury one could imagine. Its influence stretched across the known world, its fleets dominating the waterways.
But Daenerys had no intention of letting that power remain unchecked. Volantis, for all its grandeur, was built on the backs of slaves—and Daenerys had no tolerance for slavery.
She rode to the gates of Volantis with Drogon at her side, his molten scales shimmering in the sunlight. Rhaegon and Vhagar followed closely behind, their eyes sharp, alert. They were not here for a raid—they were here to make a statement.
The gates opened before them, and Daenerys entered the city with the same confidence she had learned to carry in the desert. The people of Volantis watched in awe as she passed—no one had seen a queen like her, riding dragons of fire and shadow.
She met with the ruling council, the Triarchs—men who held power through blood and politics. They sat high upon their thrones, their faces drawn with arrogance, but their eyes widened with the weight of her presence.
"I come not to negotiate," Daenerys said, her voice cold and powerful, the wind ruffling her silver hair. "I come to liberate your slaves and take your city. Join me, and you will be spared. Resist, and I will burn you to the ground."
The Triarchs sneered, but Daenerys could see the doubt in their eyes. They had never faced a queen like her.
"I will not bow to a child of fire," one of the Triarchs said, his voice wavering. "You are nothing but a barbarian."
The laughter in Daenerys' chest was cold, like the wind that swept through the great hall. "You mistake me for a child," she said, her voice low. "I am Daenerys Targaryen, the last of the dragonlords. And I will see your city burn if you do not bow before me."
Her words rang in the hall, a challenge that could not be ignored.
And so, they did bow.
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The Unyielding Fury
Volantis was just the beginning. Daenerys had a vision—one that stretched far beyond the gates of the city. She would tear down the cities that relied on slavery and oppression. She would take their riches, their armies, and forge them into an empire that would rival the greatest in history.
She met with the leaders of other Free Cities, one by one. Pentos, Myr, Lys—they all bent the knee before her, some out of fear, others out of the realization that Daenerys Targaryen was not a queen to be trifled with.
Her dragons, grown stronger with each passing day, became symbols of her power. Drogon, with his fiery wings, was the terror of the skies, and Rhaegon and Vhagar, though smaller, were no less deadly. Together, they gave Daenerys the strength she needed to take control of the vast cities that dotted Essos.
But it was not just the cities that bowed to her—her khalasar swelled with new warriors, mercenaries, and even former slaves who had pledged their loyalty. They were no longer just a ragtag band of raiders—they were an army, one that could march across the known world.
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The Gathering Storm
Yet, Daenerys knew that to truly cement her control over Essos, she would have to do more than conquer. She would have to transform the cities she had taken, turning them into strongholds for her eventual conquest of Westeros.
And so, she turned her focus to the economies of the cities—transforming the wealth of Volantis into a foundation for her military. She created alliances with the merchant lords of Myr and Lys, using their resources to fund her army.
She enacted reforms in the cities she ruled, freeing slaves and offering them a chance at a better life in exchange for their service. The newly freed men and women swore loyalty to her, their hearts filled with hope that they had never known before.
But Daenerys was no fool. She did not trust everyone. She kept her closest advisers around her at all times, watching for any hint of betrayal. The world was full of schemers, and she would not allow herself to be blind to them.
"Khal," she said one night, her eyes narrowing as she turned to Drogo, who stood beside her. "There is still unrest in Meereen. We cannot afford to have any weakness among the cities we control. We must crush any opposition before it spreads."
Drogo nodded, his hand resting on his sword. "They will not challenge you again, Khaleesi."
"I do not want them to challenge me," Daenerys said, her voice cold. "I want them to fear me."
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The Dragon's Shadow
As her influence spread across Essos, Daenerys' name became a legend. She was no longer just the widow of a Dothraki khal—she was the Queen of Slaves, the Mother of Dragons, the Conqueror of Essos.
But with each victory came the knowledge that her true enemy still awaited her across the narrow sea. The Iron Throne. Her family's legacy.
She could feel its pull every day, a whisper in the back of her mind. But she knew that to claim it, she would need to be patient. To return to Westeros prematurely would be to risk everything. She had learned from her brother's mistakes.
No, Daenerys would wait. She would finish her conquest of Essos first—then, with an army forged in fire and blood, she would turn her eyes toward the Iron Throne, knowing that it would be hers, and hers alone.
And when the time came, the world would burn for her.
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