A Gale of Wolves, Chapter 2: Daenerys
She had a headache. It sat like stone right above her right eyebrow as she paced slowly around the small council table, the words of her advisors washing past. She’d never had headaches before coming to Meereen. Not even imprisoned at the House of the Undying, nor before that half-dead in the Red Wastes, nor before that pregnant and aching all down her back on the Dothraki Sea, nor before that running after Viserys in the streets of the Free Cities with a hungry belly. Only this place brought on the peculiar pain of political frustrations.
Grey Worm and Daario had caught one of the Sons of the Harpy and had thrown him in the cells, and now her small council bickered about the man’s life as though it were a debate to be won. She wasn’t quite sure why it had given her a headache, in truth; had their positions been reversed and the Sons of the Harpy had caught her instead, she knew full well they would do the same.
Men had argued over her all of her life. Before she had ever been born, there had been men haggling over how best to kill her. She had little sympathy for this Son, but there was a distant sort of…recognition, perhaps.
“Thank you all for your counsel,” she said, coming to a halt just behind her own empty chair. “I will think carefully on what is to be done.” She waited until everyone had had risen to take their leave before she added, “But I would ask you all a question first.” They settled slowly back into their seats — all except Grey Worm at the door, standing guard, ever-watchful. “What crime has this man committed? In Meereenese law, what is he guilty of?”
“Murder,” said Mossador and Missandei.
“Treason,” said Ser Barristan.
“Conspiracy,” said Daario.
“Theft,” said Hizdahr.
*note: chapters will be posted once a day from until May 11. Some will be shorter than others, but hopefully this schedule will work for people who a) like to know when they can read the whole thing in one go and b) like to read chapter by chapter as they come.