A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

its scabbard. “Rein in your tongue, bloodrider. The princess is still your
khaleesi.”
    â€œOnly while the blood-of-my-blood still lives,” Qotho told the knight. “When he dies, she is nothing.”
    Dany felt a tightness inside her. “Before I was
khaleesi
,I was the blood of the dragon. Ser Jorah, summon my
khas.”
    â€œNo,” said Qotho. “We will go. For now … 
Khaleesi.”
Haggo followed him from the tent, scowling.
    â€œThat one means you no good, Princess,” Mormont said. “The Dothraki say a man and his bloodriders share one life, and Qotho sees it ending. A dead man is beyond fear.”
    â€œNo one has died,” Dany said. “Ser Jorah, I may have need of your blade. Best go don your armor.” She was more frightened than she dared admit, even to herself.
    The knight bowed. “As you say.” He strode from the tent.
    Dany turned back to Mirri Maz Duur. The woman’s eyes were wary. “So you have saved me once more.”
    â€œAnd now you must save him,” Dany said. “Please …”
    â€œYou do not ask a slave,” Mirri replied sharply, “you tell her.” She went to Drogo burning on his mat, and gazed long at his wound. “Ask or tell, it makes no matter. He is beyond a healer’s skills.” The
khal’s
eyes were closed. She opened one with her fingers. “He has been dulling the hurt with milk of the poppy.”
    â€œYes,” Dany admitted.
    â€œI made him a poultice of firepod and sting-me-not and bound it in a lambskin.”
    â€œIt burned, he said. He tore it off. The herbwomen made him a new one, wet and soothing.”
    â€œIt burned, yes. There is great healing magic in fire, even your hairless men know that.”
    â€œMake him another poultice,” Dany begged. “This time I will make certain he wears it.”
    â€œThe time for that is past, my lady,” Mirri said. “All I can do now is ease the dark road before him, so he might ride painless to the night lands. He will be gone by morning.”
    Her words were a knife through Dany’s breast. What had she ever done to make the gods so cruel? She had finally found a safe place, had finally tasted love and hope. She was finally going home. And now to lose it all … “No,” she pleaded. “Save him, and I will free you, I swear it. You must know a way … some magic, some …”
    Mirri Maz Duur sat back on her heels and studied Daenerys through eyes as black as night. “There is a spell.” Her voice was quiet, scarcely more than a whisper. “But it is hard, lady, and dark. Some would say that death is cleaner. I learned the way in Asshai, and paid dear for the lesson. My teacher was a bloodmage from the Shadow Lands.”
    Dany went cold all over. “Then you truly are a
maegi
 …”
    â€œAm I?” Mirri Maz Duur smiled. “Only a
maegi
can save your rider now, Silver Lady.”
    â€œIs there no other way?”
    â€œNo other.”
    Khal Drogo gave a shuddering gasp.
    â€œDo it,” Dany blurted. She must not be afraid; she was the blood of the dragon. “Save him.”
    â€œThere is a price,” the godswife warned her.
    â€œYou’ll have gold, horses, whatever you like.”
    â€œIt is not a matter of gold or horses. This is bloodmagic, lady. Only death may pay for life.”
    â€œDeath?” Dany wrapped her arms around herself protectively, rocked back and forth on her heels. “My death?” She told herself she would die for him, if she must. She was the blood of the dragon, she would not be afraid. Her brother Rhaegar had died for the woman he loved.
    â€œNo,” Mirri Maz Duur promised. “Not your death,
Khaleesi.”
    Dany trembled with relief. “Do it.”
    The
maegi
nodded solemnly. “As you speak, so it shall be done. Call your servants.”
    Khal Drogo writhed feebly as Rakharo and Quaro lowered him into the bath. “No,” he muttered, “no. Must ride.” Once in the water, all the strength seemed to leak out of him.
    â€œBring his horse,” Mirri Maz Duur commanded, and so it was done. Jhogo led the great red stallion into the tent. When the animal caught the scent of death, he screamed and reared, rolling his eyes. It took three men to subdue him.
    â€œWhat do you mean to do?” Dany asked her.
    â€œWe need the