Game of Thrones: Rise of the Supreme Dragon Queen

New Ghis was built on a long, narrow island, two kilometers wide and eight kilometers long. At its southern end, the large island of Ghis resembled a crab, extending two massive pincers that encircled and sheltered the smaller New Ghis island at its center. The harbor's waters were exceptionally calm.

On the blue, mirror-like sea, hundreds of ships were anchored. There were brightly painted red wooden ships, sleek white rowing boats, and large black-bellied vessels. Like Daenerys and her company, many were waiting for favorable winds to sail.

You might wonder: why not estimate the arrival of monsoon winds annually, like on Earth, and sail with them?

Well, in this fantastical world, even the seasons are unpredictable—how could there be regular monsoons?

Daenerys had been here for nearly half a year. The only noticeable temperature changes were caused by latitude: the farther north, the colder; the farther south, the hotter. But as for the seasons themselves, there was no hint of any change.

By afternoon, the azure sky and sea blended seamlessly, while the green sails on the mast drooped like an old grandmother's sagging bosom. In the shade at the bow, a few people sat enjoying the scenery and chatting.

When the topic of seasonal change came up, Whitebeard explained to Daenerys that summer hadn't truly ended yet—at least one more year of the "ghost summer" remained.

Daenerys, intrigued by the term "ghost summer," asked him to elaborate.

Before Whitebeard could respond, Jorah spoke first:

"Northerners understand seasonal changes better than Southerners.

During summer, there are multiple harvests, providing abundant food. Even the poor don't have to worry about hunger, so everyone hopes for an 'endless summer.'

But prolonged summer days often bring excessive heat and drought.

Especially during the final years of a long summer, the intense heat causes massive amounts of water to evaporate into the atmosphere, darkening the skies with thick, unyielding clouds. The air becomes heavy with moisture, creating what we call a 'ghost summer.'

There's no doubt that this summer, which has lasted eleven years, qualifies as a long summer. However, the final year is bound to be a 'ghost summer.' After the ghost summer comes a year of autumn, and after autumn…"

Here, Jorah's expression turned grave as he sighed,

"After a long summer comes a prolonged winter, lasting for years. Winter is coming.

The lords of Westeros are embroiled in civil wars, and farmers are being conscripted into armies. There's no chance to stockpile grain. When the winter arrives two years from now, who knows how many will perish? While the South may not fear the long winter, the North…"

"Lord Mormont is right," Whitebeard unexpectedly agreed with Jorah. "Before I left the Seven Kingdoms, the Conclave had already sent white ravens across the land."

Daenerys raised an eyebrow. "White ravens?"

"You know about the Citadel in Oldtown, don't you?"

When Daenerys nodded, Whitebeard continued:

"The changing of seasons is closely tied to the lives of the people of the Seven Kingdoms. But neither commoners nor nobles understand the weather or celestial patterns; they rely entirely on the maesters of the Citadel.

At the Citadel, there's a committee dedicated to observing celestial phenomena. They measure the length of daylight, track the movement of constellations, and study other phenomena I can't explain.

The committee compiles all their data and submits it to the Conclave—the governing body of the Citadel.

Only Archmaesters, the most knowledgeable and experienced scholars, are qualified to participate in the Conclave.

Based on the collected data, these experts accurately calculate the changes of the seasons. When they determine a shift, they use white ravens to deliver the news to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms."

"Impressive," Daenerys nodded. "But do the Archmaesters ever make mistakes?"

Whitebeard's expression clouded over at her question, as if it had dredged up a painful memory.

"The false spring," Jorah Mormont muttered grimly.

Whitebeard closed his eyes, remaining silent for a long time. When he opened them again, the anguish in his gaze had vanished. In a soft voice, he said:

"After summer comes a year of autumn, and after a long winter, there's a warm spring. When spring arrives, it means the harsh winter has ended, and the delightful summer is on its way.

When the white ravens bring news of spring, the entire realm celebrates with what little food remains, holding spring festivals."

Daenerys nodded, comparing it in her mind to the Westerosi equivalent of a Lunar New Year celebration.

After several years of summer, followed by a year of autumn, and then more years of winter, spring finally arrives.

Westerosi people have it rough—on average, they only get to celebrate something like the Lunar New Year once every ten years.

Whitebeard continued, "However, at the end of winter, the climate can sometimes behave unpredictably. The weather may warm up, giving the illusion of spring. But the cold returns, making it impossible for people to plant crops or resume production.

The last 'false spring' occurred during the early days of Robert's Rebellion, about eighteen years ago.

The white ravens from the Conclave arrived in King's Landing, and Lord Harroway of Harrenhal, eager to showcase his status and celebrate the approaching long summer, invited warriors from all Seven Kingdoms to a grand tournament.

Your brother, Prince Rhaegar, known for his prowess, defeated all challengers and won the tournament.

But instead of crowning his wife, Princess Elia Martell of Dorne, as the 'Queen of Love and Beauty,' he placed the crown of winter roses on the lap of Lyanna Stark—Robert Baratheon's betrothed.

The scene at the time… well, I don't need to explain further. You probably understand what happened next."

What was he thinking? Reckless? Blinded by love? True love at first sight?

Daenerys couldn't fathom what her late brother Rhaegar had been thinking.

In the clichéd storylines of certain novels, it's often the woman who looks down on the man and breaks off an engagement—a trope nicknamed the "broken engagement flow." But in this world, there had been three famous broken engagement incidents, and all three were initiated by men.

While the women didn't dramatically shout phrases like "The wheel of fortune turns!" or "Don't underestimate a poor girl," their families were powerful enough to make the offending men pay dearly.

The First Broken Engagement happened around sixty years ago. Daenerys' great-uncle, Prince Duncan Targaryen, known as "Duncan the Small," broke off his engagement to the daughter of a Baratheon duke in favor of a commoner, Jenny of Oldstones.

Though Duncan wasn't physically small, he was nicknamed "Duncan the Small" to distinguish him from the legendary Kingsguard knight "Duncan the Tall," who served as a mentor to Prince Duncan's father. The prince's name was a tribute to the knight.

Prince Duncan paid a heavy price for his love, forfeiting both the throne and the future stability of House Targaryen. This decision planted the seeds of his family's eventual downfall.

Nonetheless, his romantic tale of forsaking the crown for love was immortalized by countless bards, earning him the nickname "The Dragonfly Prince." His story captivated many noblewomen, who admired the prince and envied Jenny of Oldstones.

The Second Broken Engagement was Daenerys' brother, Rhaegar. While Rhaegar didn't technically break off his marriage—he was already wed with two children—he met his supposed true love, Lyanna Stark.

(Note: In the TV adaptation Game of Thrones, Rhaegar annulled his marriage to Elia Martell in secret, marrying Lyanna instead. Poor Elia never even knew she had been "returned" until her tragic death.)

Rhaegar's love cost him dearly: his wife was assaulted and killed, his son and daughter brutally murdered, his father slaughtered, and his family annihilated. The Targaryen dynasty ended, and Rhaegar himself met his demise on the battlefield.

In short, he paid the ultimate price: a complete tragedy.

About a year from the current time in the story, the Third Broken Engagement will occur. Robb Stark will fall in love with the daughter of a minor noble and break off his betrothal to a daughter of House Frey.

Incidentally, the woman who causes Robb Stark's broken engagement is also named Jenny.

It seems the name "Jenny" carries a curse.

Robb's decision will lead to catastrophic consequences: his death, the collapse of his dream to rule the North, his mother's partial death (and subsequent resurrection as the vengeful Lady Stoneheart), the slaughter of numerous Northern lords, and the near-destruction of House Stark.

The price of these broken engagements? Truly monumental.

"The wrong season, the wrong choices—it was the most mistaken spring of all!" Whitebeard concluded.

"Attention, crew of the Sidurian! This is the New Ghis Customs Patrol! Attention, crew of the Sidurian! This is the New Ghis Customs Patrol!"

A voice echoed from the sea outside the ship, calling out loudly in accented Valyrian. The message was repeated five times, its volume carrying easily across the dozens of meters to where Daenerys and her companions stood at the bow.

Ser Jorah walked to the ship's edge, peering down for a moment before returning to report. "It's a customs boat from New Ghis. They've pulled up alongside our merchant ship. It seems they want to inspect our cargo."

"Why? We haven't even entered the harbor zone," Daenerys asked with a puzzled expression.

"The last time we stopped here on our way from Pentos to Qarth, they inspected us as well," Whitebeard explained. "According to Groleo, the New Ghiscari are strict about preventing pirate ships from sneaking into the harbor disguised as merchants."

Daenerys, intrigued, led the way toward the cargo hold entrance, with the others following close behind.

Three New Ghiscari officials came aboard: two armored warriors and a middle-aged man in a dark robe. They were stocky, with amber-colored skin, broad noses, and deep black eyes.

Most striking of all was their hair—naturally streaked in alternating red and black, styled upright like the character Sendo from Slam Dunk.

Unfortunately, they didn't have Sendo's good looks. Their demeanor gave off a sense of arrogant ostentation, bordering on unpleasant.

The inspection was perfunctory. They descended briefly into the hold, confirming that the cargo consisted of goods and not armed personnel, and then promptly returned to the deck. The entire process took less than three minutes.

"That was quick. What exactly were you inspecting?" Daenerys asked the official, who was climbing back onto the deck from the hold.

"Ah, you—" The man froze for a moment, then suddenly grew animated. "You're the Mother of Dragons! Queen of the Sunset Lands! Daenerys Targaryen! I heard you bought camels and planned to travel overland… The people of Meereen are still eagerly waiting to see your dragons!"

They'll see them plenty soon enough.

Daenerys nodded slightly. "Yes, I am Daenerys."

"Oh, I am Zanak zo Loraq, a customs officer for New Ghis," he said, bowing deeply as he introduced himself.

"Greetings, Mr. Loraq," Daenerys said politely before asking, "How is it that you know of my planned route?"

The Ghiscari gestured proudly to the vast sea dotted with hundreds of ships. "New Ghis is the gateway to the western world. News of the true dragon's return spreads like wildfire among the sailors at the docks."

Once the two Ghiscari soldiers and several of the ship's crew had climbed back onto the deck, the middle-aged customs official elaborated, "Mother of Dragons, you may not know this, but the Summer Sea has been far from calm in the past six months. There have been numerous reports of merchant ships being raided by pirates.

The area near the Sorrows, close to Valyria, is especially dangerous. Some have even claimed to see a red devil ship emerging from the mists."

(End of Chapter)

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