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[ The locket reveals the face of a young woman--some would say a girl--peering into it. Her hair gleams silver-gold in the candlelight, her eyes an unusual purple color. In the background, an imp peers over her shoulder, its claws clinging to her bared skin. ]

There is magic in the Free Cities and Qarth alike, yet I have seen nothing half so convincing as Allaidh Darach. It is ... [ She hesitates; what to call the place that's imprisoned you against your will? ] ... intricate work, truly. Were I settled into my kingdom, my children fierce and grown, perhaps I would not mind it so much, calling Caer Scima home.

[ For a fraction of an instant, she looks sad. Did Drogon sense her as she faded into this world? ]

But lush pillows will not shield my freedmen from those who would send them back to the shackles, no more than peach tarts will keep famine away from my gates. [ The imp shakes a foul little fist at the locket in punctuation, as though its fellows didn't help to abduct her only four nights ago. Dany turns and fixes it with a measured look. ]

Leave me now. I want no spies.

[ It hesitates, but something in her voice convinces it. Muttering, it releases her shoulder and shrinks away as though scolded. Dany waits impatiently for two more of the creatures to leave her presence, some private struggle raging beneath. Then, at last, she exhales in a sigh. ]

Yet time is not so easily disrupted, I have learned. Tell me, was I spoken true? [ It's phrased as something of a demand, but there's a very clear plea beneath it. The queen is there, but so, too, is the girl. And the girl is frightened, fearing for her people and her dragons alike. ] Will my people notice I have left them, or will all be as it was? How may I be assured of their safety?

[ Restless fingers pluck at the fringe of the cushion in her lap. ]

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Captain Flint. [ Her tone is somewhat warmer than polite, for their prior acquaintance. ] I had not thought to hear word from you again so soon.

[ She's not certain she trusts the allegations, but perhaps they'll bring him some measure of peace. ] It is something I had heard from those around me in this court. Baron Archer claims to know it from the Unseelie queen.

As we are both fairly new in this place, should we not work together to uncover this place's mysteries?

[ Besides, he would see what this conqueror girl is capable of accomplishing in this place. ]

So the lords here are granted audience with the ... [ his tone catches slightly at the word ] queen.

Good to know.

[ So this is another man she's convinced of her potential. Dany has wanted her fair share of alliance proposals, but a bond is always sweeter when it's someone else coming to her. If his cooperation with her proves more than temporary, she'll see him rewarded. ]

This counsel speaks of reason, I think. [ She smiles. ] And so we shall. [ Were these stakes not so high and the players so dangerous, she would think herself a young girl playing at a game. ]

Lord or commoner, it seems all must win some favor if they wish to be heard. We are to receive and honor requests of this land, as I understand it. Perhaps reward will ease the sting of service. [ She means for him, having noticed his reluctance to even speak the title. She herself intends not to be a beggar before this queen or any other, but it is the duty of queens to serve their people. She will win her dragons back by doing precisely that. ]

[ Flint is a man of action. If he needs alliances, he will go out and seek them. While he is fiercely independent and distrustful to a fault, he also knows that nothing can be accomplished alone. ]

It certainly will. Then again, I have to wonder ... does it really matter? There is nothing else to do here, inaction leads to severe punishment in any case, and a young man informed that the monarchs have—

[ He catches himself at the very last moment, remebering that not all conversations in this place were as private as they thought. ]

It might be better to discuss such affairs face to face.

[ Dany's said nothing she wouldn't stand by. The Unseelie queen, she suspects, would care little for her demands and her incredulity. Still, she will trust that this is some matter of greater import. ]

Just so. [ She agrees, keeping her tone carefully neutral. This is a place of spies and plotting, and it's becoming clear to her that not all Unseelie shardbearers desire the same objective. That is troublesome. ] I remained in Caer Scima after the feast, but I would see the lands around its spires. Have you a steed?

[ Habit demands that she bring someone with her when she rides out. She would ask Richard, perhaps, but she knows everyone so little. I am the blood of the dragon. I must fear nothing, or this place will devour me. No, she will go alone, and she will ride unharmed. ]

As have I.

[ he discovered the library not long after his arrival, and truly, he would stay near it. read all he can, in order to make more informed decisions regarding this place. ]

But indeed, I can find a horse — and would gladly accompany you, should you wish it. I have been apprised of a number of things, should you wish to hear of them.

I wish to hear all. [ She assures him. So he, too, resides here. Good; many others she would speak with do not. ] Let us meet at the ward and walk to the stables. My stallion is brutish and ill-tempered; the imps will not follow.

Perfect — there is much to speculate on.

[ Flint has indeed heard many, many things. yet, as distrustful as always, he would take what he's been told with a large grain of salt. and he would hear Daenerys' opinions on his findings, in any case. ]

You will find me there, awaiting you.

[ Flint has already seen her in regal raiment and judged her worthy of his attention. For this meeting, Dany has her attendant help her out of her new gown and dress her in a pair of leather riding trousers, comfortably fitted about her legs for ease of movement. Her tunic is made of cream silk, her silver-gold hair woven into a single braid. However, a simple circlet of yellow gold gleams upon her brow, a stark reminder to all who may come upon them that she is a queen still. It won't do to draw attention to herself with Dothraki bells--not tonight.

She arrives in the ward boldly unescorted, a torch in hand heralding her way through the darkness of the castle. Few remain to train at swords or archery at this hour, but as she pads softly over the ground to where Flint awaits, she casts the Unseelie a passing glance, ever watchful. ]

Do you fare well, Captain? [ She inquires pleasantly, the flame atop her torch casting light shadows across her face. It hasn't been long since they last spoke, but politeness comes as easily to her as breathing. ]

[ Flint remains quiet for a moment, slightly surprised at her demeanor. it's rather unsettling to him, such a regal attitude from one so young ... not unsurprising, perhaps, but still an unexpected thing for him to behold.

when she finds him, he's had enough time to ready two horses — one for him and one for her of course. ]

As well as I can in this place. I hope you fare slightly better, dear girl.

[ handing her her horse's bridle ]

I am no girl, but I listen as eagerly as children do. [ She informs him of this matter-of-factly, seeming entirely unaware of how absurd the statement seems to someone who's witnessed none of her deeds. Still, she accepts the bridle graciously and hands the torch to a groom, who's crossed the yard to see if she needs aid climbing into the saddle. In truth, she's surprised Flint's done something so polite, and she runs her fingers over the saddle curiously. ]

Thank you. [ There is genuine warmth in her smile. She rises on tip-toe to carefully ease the bit between the mount's lips, as she watched her handmaids and her guards do for her countless times before. The groom helps her to fit the bridle over the horse's ears, and when all is in place, she is given a leg up into the saddle. For a moment, Dany nudges her horse in a half-turn toward the gate and sweeps her gaze around at their surroundings, and there's a gleam in her eye as she gathers the reins into her hands. She's missed the freedom that riding holds. Then, she looks to Flint, making to lead them out into the evening. ]

I am ready. [ There's a fleeting glimmer of a joyful spirit as she teases: ] Fly with me.

[ a low, quiet chuckle. ]

No disparaging remark about your youth, Khaleesi. Though you will admit that compared to my long, numerous years... I am easily over twice your age.

[ his smile broadens and he swings himself up on his horse. ]

Gladly. Let us see what this place has to offer.

[ Dany leads the way out the gates, as she did for her Dothraki many fortnights ago, and urges her horse into a light canter at first, then a gallop. The wind is in her hair, but more importantly, it has found her heart. She is alight, for the first time since her arrival, and she feels powerful.

When they have reached a certain speed, she allows herself a laugh, and a confession. ]

My most trusted knight was thrice my age. [ And his betrayal still hasn't stopped stinging her. There are a chain of mountains greeting them, looming out of the evening light. ] This place offers us mountains and forests, it seems, and all manner of beasts that would wish us ill. [ She stays the jape, but only just: So, it isn't so different from either of their worlds, she would assume.] Unless it is beasts who have been whispering secrets in your ear? [ Another tease. ]

In many ways, this place is rather similar to my home. The monsters and fantastical beasts might be more of a metaphor, but their malice is, I assume, quite as powerful, as is their capacity for nuisance.

[ a low, quiet chuckle. ]

Unless you consider this place's denizens to be beasts ... But they have, indeed, started to give me a sense of this place's, ah ... politics, in a way. As you would imagine, everything is centered around this encroaching Void.

[ That he both has the same thought and recognizes her implication pleases her. She smiles. ] Then we are not truly so different, it seems. [ The remark has no other purpose than to be friendly. She knows she's already won his interest. ]

Just so, yet none can tell me what the Void is, or where its origin lies. [ All anyone has told her is that it marches inland to destroy everything. ] Speak freely, Captain. My ears are keen.

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