Hollywood: CaveLeather Rahallo walked to the high seat that had belonged to Drogo and sat down.
He planted Ascala in the ground beside him.
Several quick-thinking warriors pushed through the crowd and went after Daenerys and the others.
Ser Jorah Mormont stepped in front of Daenerys, face grim, sword raised against the approaching Dothraki.
He kept backing up until he felt cold arakh blades pressing against his back from behind.
The warriors showed no courtesy.
They dragged everyone back and threw them at Rahallo’s feet.
Daenerys rose, brushed the dust from her gown, lifted her chin, and met Rahallo’s eyes with open defiance.
There was no fear in her violet gaze.
Rahallo did not look at her.
Instead he spoke loudly in the Dothraki tongue.
“The wedding continues!
Bring the offering!” Warriors led a horse forward.
Sharp blades opened its chest.
They pulled out the heart while it was still faintly beating.
The heavy scent of blood filled the air.
Rahallo stepped forward, picked up the dripping heart, and placed it in Daenerys’s hands.
“Eat it,” he ordered.
“This is the Dothraki way.
Once you swallow it, you become my khaleesi.” Daenerys took the warm, bloody heart.
Her mouth twitched.
Her stomach turned.
She did not understand the words, but she understood exactly what he wanted her to do.
She closed her eyes, held her breath, and bit off a large piece.
She forced herself to swallow.
Then another bite.
And another.
Before long the entire heart was gone.
Daenerys wiped the blood from her lips with her sleeve.
Her face remained expressionless.
No matter what happened, she would keep her dignity.
That was the last pride left to her as the last of the dragon’s blood.
Rahallo quietly gave her a mental thumbs-up.
The thing looked disgusting even to him, yet she had eaten the whole massive thing without stopping.
How many days had she gone without food?
At that moment several white-haired elders approached Rahallo from behind, carrying combs and small bells.
They began to comb and braid his hair, weaving the bells into the long strands.
This was a Dothraki tradition.
Only after a great victory in battle—especially against a powerful foe—did the elders braid a warrior’s hair and hang bells in it.
It was the highest mark of honor.
Every Dothraki watching held their breath.
Their eyes were filled with awe.
A man who had slain the strongest warrior on the grass sea now stood at the height of his glory.
Night fell.
The long, bloody wedding finally came to an end.
Rahallo announced in a loud voice that the wedding was complete.
He was now the new khal, and Daenerys Targaryen was his khaleesi.
It had been a grand and successful wedding.
Including Drogo, fifteen people had died.
Rahallo suddenly turned, leaned close to Daenerys’s ear, and spoke to her in fluent Common Tongue.
“You, Princess of Dragonstone, Daenerys Stormborn, carry the blood of Aegon the Conqueror in your veins.
Follow me, and I will help you crush the Seven Kingdoms beneath our feet.” Daenerys’s eyes widened in shock.
She stared at him, stunned.
She had never expected a Dothraki to speak the Common Tongue so perfectly, let alone know her full history and lineage.
All the fear and resentment she had carried moments before vanished, replaced by surprise, curiosity, and something dangerously close to relief.
For the first time since she had been sold, she did not feel completely alone.
This man could understand her.
He knew who she was.
He even wanted to help her take back the Iron Throne.
Rahallo saw the look on her face and allowed himself a small smile.
It wasn’t like he hadn’t had to pass basic language proficiency in his last life.
… The noise of the wedding slowly faded.
The crowd drifted away like a tide, leaving behind trampled grass, spilled blood, and the occasional spark from dying fires.
Rahallo looked around, then gestured to a warrior named Lazal.
He told him to take Illyrio Mopatis to a private tent.
Lazal had been the first to submit after Rahallo’s victory.
He was now one of his most trusted men.
Inside the tent, a single oil lamp gave off a weak light.
Illyrio squeezed his large body onto a narrow stool, his face arranged in an oily smile.
“Khal Rahallo, this wedding was truly unforgettable!
Your name will spread across the entire Dothraki Sea.
Every khalasar will tremble before your strength!” Rahallo raised a hand to cut him off.
“Save the flattery, Illyrio.
I killed Drogo, but that does not cancel the agreement between you.
Not one copper less.” Illyrio’s smile froze.
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
“Of course, of course, Khal Rahallo.
Everything that was promised is already prepared.
Silks, spices, women… whatever you desire can be delivered to your khalasar immediately.” Rahallo looked at him steadily.
“I want three things,” he said.
“As much wildfire as you can obtain.
As much white sugar as you can obtain.
And every empty wine bottle you can lay your hands on.
The silks, spices, and women you can keep.
Convert them all into gold dragons and send the gold instead.” Illyrio blinked, clearly surprised.
“Wildfire and sugar I understand, but… wine bottles, Khal Rahallo?
If I may ask, what do you intend to do with empty bottles?” “You may not ask,” Rahallo said flatly.
“Just do as I say.” Illyrio did not understand, but he did not dare press further.
Giving up valuable trade goods in exchange for these strange requests made no sense to him.
What was this new khal planning?
“And one more thing,” Rahallo added.
“Just because I do not want the goods does not mean you get to keep them.
Turn everything into gold and send it to me.” Gold dragons.
Illyrio’s heart jumped.
The Dothraki usually traded in goods or raw gold.
Demanding minted coin was unusual.
Illyrio’s goal had always been to place a Targaryen back on the Iron Throne and claim the position of Master of Coin for himself.
Drogo had been crude but predictable.
This new khal was far more dangerous and far less readable.
Still, every man who had opposed Rahallo tonight was already dead.
Refusing now would be extremely unwise.
Illyrio forced another smile onto his face.
“As you command, Khal Rahallo.
Wildfire, white sugar, wine bottles… and gold dragons.
I will have everything prepared as quickly as possible.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Cokelat_Manis Hollywood: CaveLeather