3. Daenerys : The Targaryans

Location: Pentos

Characters: Dany, Viserys, Illyrio, Jorah Mormont, Khal Drogo

Referenced Characters : Ser Willem Darry

Daenerys and Viserys were the last Targaryans taking refuge in Pentos with Magister Illyrio.

Dany was thirteen, had violet eyes and white silver hair.

Viserys was a gaunt young man with lilac eyes.

Magister Illyrio was a dealer in spices, gems, dragonbone and other things. He was fat and wore gems on all his fingers. He had oiled his forked yellow beard which shone like gold.

Illyrio showered them with gifts and servants and luxuries. Viserys thought it was because he was the rightful heir to the seven kingdoms. However, Dany knew that such gifts seldom came without their price.

What is Illyrio's motive?

Dany thought that her brother was living in his dreams far from reality :

"Illyrio never had a friend he would cheerfully sell for the right price... but she knew better than to question her brother when he wove his webs of dream"

"Her brother, sprawled out on his pillows beside her, never noticed. His mind was away across the narrow sea."

"Dany knew he was fighting the battle of Trident once again"

Viserys was also prone to flattery from Illyrio:

"In holdfasts all across the realm, men lift secret toasts to your health while women sew dragon banners....". Dany mistrusted Illyrio's sweet words like everything else about him.

On Viserys saying that he would kill the Usurper himself, Illyrio says "That would be most fitting" with a smallest hint of smile playing across his lips which Dany saw but her brother did not notice.

Illyrio's servants exaggerated that the Dothraki wear collars of gold, but later on Dany herself saw that it was only Bronze.

On Viserys being angered by Dothraki inspecting the palanquins, Illyrio again flatters Viserys by saying that Dothraki did that only to ensure the safety of their guests as the usurper may send hired knives to try and kill them.

Viserys had been a boy of eight when they fled King's landing to escape the advancing armies of the Usurper. Dany was not even born then. Their brother Rhaegar battled the Usurper in the bloody waters of the Trident and dying for the woman he loved.

What happened? Was this woman Elia? 

Princess Elia of Dorne and Rhaegar's heir were murdered by the Lannisters and Starks. The Kingslayer killed their father.

Why? 

Dany was born on Dragonstone during a raging storm. Her mother died birthing her and for that Viserys had never forgiven her. They fled from Drangonstone with Ser Willem Darry to Braavos where they lived in a big house with a red door and lemon tree. That was the only place Dany remembers as her home. Then they kept on moving from Braavos to Myr, to Tyrosh, to Qohor, to Volantis and Lys never staying for long at one place because Viserys believed that Usurper wanted them dead.

Common people called Viserys the Beggar King. Even his sword was lent to him by Illyrio and this is highlighted on a number of occasions:

"His fingers toyed with the hilt of his borrowed blade..."

About the Targaryans it is mentioned that fire is in their blood.

"The water was scalding hot, but Danaerys did not flinch or cry out. She liked the heat"

Dany had always assumed she would wed Viserys because, for centuries, Targaryans wed brother to sister to keep the bloodlines pure. Theirs was the kingsblood, the golden blood of old Valyria, the blood of the dragons.

Viserys wants Dany to be married to Khal Drogo so that his army can help him reclaim the seven kingdoms. A hundred thousand men ride in his khalasar.

Khal Drogo was so tall and fierce, fearless in battle, best rider ever to mount a horse, a demon archer. He has rings in his mustachio, black hair oiled, braided and hung with bells. He was very tall yet graceful, no more than thirty. When Dothraki are defeated they cut off their braids in disgrace. His braid reached below his buttocks which showed that he had never lost a fight. The Khal frightened Dany.

The Dothraki have copper skin and dark almond eyes.

Another character introduced is Ser Jorah Mormont. He sold some poachers to a Tyroshi slaver instead of giving them to the Night's Watch.

Do all poachers join Night's Watch?

Dany found herself looking at the knight curiously. He was an older man, past forty and balding but still strong and fit. His sigil black bear standing on two legs.