A month had passed since the Dothraki surrendered.
News of the war had not been suppressed. Instead, with Viserys's tacit approval, it spread swiftly to other lands through caravans traveling north and south, rescued Lhazareen captives, and Dothraki riders who still harbored awe and fear.
Viserys had now gained another title: "Conqueror of the Dothraki." The details of the legends surrounding him grew increasingly exaggerated with each retelling.
Some said a single roar from the golden dragon Viserys rode had shattered the Dothraki's curved blades. Others said the golden light that annihilated everything was punishment from the gods of Valyria. Some even swore they had seen the shadows of kneeling Dothraki warriors twist into the shapes of dragons as they bowed before the dragon.
These rumors inspired even more fervent worship among the free folk, but they also deepened the fears of the rulers of neighboring city-states and attracted attention of another kind.
Moreover, according to Moso's answers under questioning, before their khalasar prepared to sack the Lhazareen towns, a wealthy merchant from Qarth had presented their khal with a great deal of treasure. Their attack on Meereen might therefore have been instigated by that merchant, though only the khal and his bloodriders knew the truth-and they were all dead now.
Deep within the Temple of the Red God, Volantis.
The fire here never went out. Its flickering flames cast shifting light and shadow over the murals on the walls. High Priestess Kinvara knelt before the fire, her hands clasped and her long gray hair hanging loose, yet her blue eyes seemed to reflect scenes from another dimension.
Images shifted faintly within the flames before her: a golden, three-headed dragon swept across the sky, a silver-haired rider severed chains with his sword, and countless indistinct figures knelt before him and