A Dance with Dragons - Chapter 30 - Daenerys V

From George RR Martin's "A Dance with Dragons"
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I am in no sense a professional reader, voice actor, or what have you. I began this audiobook project some years ago when some friends of mine jokingly said they'd read A Song of Ice and Fire (my favorite fantasy series) if I personally recorded the whole series in audiobook form and sent it to them. Having now made my way almost through the first two books in the series, I decided to join the small community of people who post their own amateur audibook readings to youtube, and share my efforts.
I have no intention of profiting off of the work that is copyrighted to George RR Martin. This upload is a tribute to a series I deeply love, and I strongly encourage you to purchase these books. You won't regret it.
Also I should give full credit to my cat, Claudio, for the frequent background meows and purring sounds you hear throughout.
Art by LiberLibelula www.deviantart...

[@abrarbw]

Reading Dany chapters can get really frustrating but I do enjoy them. I grew up reading reading fantasy stories where the "good guys" who are fair and chivalrous always defeat the "bad guys" who are twisted and grotesque and bad for the sake of being bad and at the end of the day they live happily ever after as a wise and good king reigns over them(hint hint). There is a saying in my country that roughly translates to "It is harder to hold on to freedom than to earn it" and GRRM brilliantly incorporates this in his writings. Yes, Dany does kill the "bad" slavers and "frees" the slaves and they hoist her above their heads and call her Mother. But then what? This is why I liked the Dany chapters dealing with the aftermath of her heroic ventures. This fair and beautiful Dragon Queen who frees slaves and sacks cities is still a little kid with a kind heart in truth, who's trying her best to play the Game of Thrones. But yeah, she'll probably end up giving in to her fire and blood tendencies after a nice visit to the Dothraki Sea though.

[@thesamejackalsniperthatkil117]

So dany Is how the "good guy with honor who kills the bad guy and always wins" would function in the real world. Good analysis.

[@sweetpotatofries99]

Exactly. She hasn't left even a semblance of a stable government in the conquered cities before she moves on.

[@thegrimmarcher202]

23:50 "What is done is done" Is actually a quote from the play Macbeth

[@comradestannis]

Love it!

[@HeadbutKneecap]

I literally heard that line as I read this comment

[@ladymorrigan5950]

I’ve wondered why Dany didn’t have someone researching dragon lore to help her figure out how to train & control them so that she can actually use them to conquer & keep the peace.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

Dany doesn't have much sense of history or strategy. She was taught by Viserys, who had an incomplete education himself. She has three books that were a wedding gift from Jorah, but she hasn't read them.

[@cherylbaxter8986]

In Essos an Pentos there is book's on dragon Lord's

[@cherylbaxter8986]

@@jenniferpearce1052 yes I heard in one of her chapters talking about what she read in the book's sir Jorah gave her

[@jenniferpearce1052]

@@cherylbaxter8986 I guess I missed that!

[@sweetpotatofries99]

Yeah she did a piss-poor job of trying to train the beasties

[@lokmanehammad25]

You are a blessing from the gods! May the old gods and the new watch over you and yours my lord ❤️

[@pirateboyfearless]

Yes! Made my day keep them coming. I'm still waiting to hear what happned with texas davos lol.

[@arshadsaleem88]

winds of winter will end your longing

[@achrafmabedi346]

😂😂 it looks like half of the characters are from texas

[@comradestannis]

Tevos

[@bexiboo1981]

Your accents and voices are amazing. I dont know how you do it! I try to do different voices when I read to my kids but it's so hard!

[@aaronbaron3155]

I know I've said this before but the best part of your reading (taking nothing away from your excellent voices) is your cat interjecting! Some of them are almost perfectly timed.

[@oz4087]

Something is super suspicious about the pale mare rider, he is a tokar wearing nobleman and hes way ahead of the other refugees, even on horse he wouldnt reach it that fast. Am i the only who completly doesnt trust green grace?

[@DavidReadsASoIaF]

No way my friend, it's the Shavepate! He's not plotting with the Yunkai'i but he's looking out for #1, hoping that Dany will destroy his enemies and create a little chaos for him to thrive in, consistently giving Daenerys counsel to the effect of "the best move is to completely blow up whatever peace and stability we have. You haven't tortured nearly enough highborn children to death, for one thing. Ok, hear me out, Your Radiance, I think, this time, we should attack the other pyramids. Well, yes, I do know that I advise that every time something comes up but that's because it would solve so many of your problems!" This chapter's so frustrating because the dragons, properly controlled, could basically effortlessly win the war (I know we don't get another glimpse of them until late, but I think they've gotten pretty big by now), so effortlessly that we WANT to believe Dany's only locking them up because the Great Masters made some guy lie to her about Drogon killing a little girl. And the Yunkaii are so loathsome we all want to see them get burned alive, at least a little. But I think George is gonna punish us for those feelings in Winds.

[@oz4087]

@@DavidReadsASoIaF perhaps, i personaly think the great masters have been trying to tame one of the dragons by feeding them sheep and pork, thats why they kept traveling out into the hills were theyr estates were, drogon acidentaly killed one of the shepards girls while feeding ( perhaps dragons get agitated about people touching theyr food like dogs do). There was a dragonrider called netles who used that trick to take ger dragon during dance. I think that the master plan of meereen is for the great masters to somehow gain the dragons and rule a new ghiscari empire, after all thats what astapori slavers seemed to want as well, meanwhile green grace and hizdar want to fulfil the stallion prophecy and take over the world that way, ghiscari are still bitter about losing theyr empire to valyria it would make sence they want to be top dogs again

[@unovasfinest2623]

I dont trust ANY of Dany's court besides Barristan, Missande, and the Dothraki bedmaids

[@amterasutenma2547]

@Rob Castleton I agree. The green grace could certainly be The Harpy. She is the spiritual leader of Meeren's religion, and the people look to her for "signs" from the gods. She probably wants Meeren to go back to their slaving ways as now the city is free but poor and in chaos. If she can't force Daenerys to conform to the practices of Mereen and become a "true queen," then she will force her out dead or alive.

[@bexiboo1981]

@Rob Castleton I had that thought too

[@christophertracy4377]

I can't believe that the Dragon Queen 👑 isn't using her dragons. This is what happens when U are young and don't fight although she has.

[@takemywordforit4128]

She wants to have her cake and eat it. She wants a solution that solves every problem with no consequences. She isn't willing to make sacrifices or make hard decisions.

[@aishah7730]

@@takemywordforit4128 bullshit. do you even know how to read? dany has sacrificed her dragons, shes sacrificed westeros, shes sacrificed love in order to marry hizdahr, shes sacrificed her childhood, shes sacrifices her own morals to open the fighting pits and appease the mereenese nobles and keep order. what hasn’t she sacrificed at this point.

[@takemywordforit4128]

@@aishah7730 blunderbuss

[@stefanfranko1782]

seven blessings to you all

[@SBGClub-pi7tk]

Danny is very unwise by being unwilling to use the dragons.

[@comradestannis]

Agreed.

[@trashyaqua6239]

I don’t understand how people can find these chapters boring, frustrating yes because observing someone struggling to rule can be very frustrating at times but through all of Dany’s chapters so far the sense of tension is just so well done. Everything is going wrong and the easiest option is for her to burn everything down and leave but she’s afraid of hurting and abandoning the people she sees as her children.

[@comradestannis]

It's frustrating because Daenerys is an inept ruler.

[@FatherhoodAndFitness]

She is such a CHILD 😂. All of these experienced warriors around her providing her with reliable council and all she does is simp over Daario 😂

[@kingofdragons7]

Reliable?

[@Mr50403]

She gets on my nerves in the books and on the TV show. Her parts are super boring.

[@kingofdragons7]

@@Mr50403 bad taste

[@thequeenb5803]

They are actually giving her conflicting council as well as telling her to either no nothing or kill everyone. Danys a child yes, but as a child who has never been educated her natural intelligence is really being showcased. We see her through out this book finding solutions on the spot for many complex issues. She is also navigating politics, never having learned how to do it. Also many people seem stuck on Dany infatuation with Daario. It is important to understand that Daario is the first person Dany likes and chooses for herself. It is the first time she feels safe enough to explore, she is a teenager after all. Also i dont belive dany loves daario, she does not know him enough and they do not have the same core values. Dany has a crush on him. A big crush and she is letting herself enjoy it. I certainly think she deserves to indulge and take her pleasure.

[@Mr50403]

@@thequeenb5803 Yeah Right, she has dragons and don't use them.

[@chrisrubin6445]

Imagine if Dany realized she needed the pit fighters as allies and said, " I need, ... I need Bellaquo Bonebreaker!" new headcanon

[@GaneshPatil-ip4kl]

Sometimes when I try to understand a person’s motives, I play a little game. I assume the worst. What’s the worst reason they could possibly have for saying what they say, or doing what they do? Then I ask myself, ‘how well does that reason explain what they say and what they do?'" according to DndD ,kind hearted dany just wants to give their dragons feast in kingslanding for their help in successful conquest.

[@dablackangel]

Yay... a new chapter 🙌🏾

[@renaigh]

am I the only one suspicious with how quickly the Shavepate mobilizes the Brazen Beasts?

[@DavidReadsASoIaF]

I am suspicious of everything the Shavepate does.

[@dominicmccullough6133]

Willing to train orphans to fight but not willing to save them by using the dragons I hate that’s she is so scared of them in the books

[@comradestannis]

agreed.

[@thegrimmarcher202]

On this day David had 969 subscribers

[@TheHaHaNinja]

Daenerys should really have made more efforts to control her Dragons. Chaining them up was her first mistake, if she had control over Drogon the other two would follow.

[@thequeenb5803]

They are actually giving her conflicting council as well as telling her to either no nothing or kill everyone. Danys a child yes, but as a child who has never been educated her natural intelligence is really being showcased. We see her through out this book finding solutions on the spot for many complex issues. She is also navigating politics, never having learned how to do it. Also many people seem stuck on Dany infatuation with Daario. It is important to understand that Daario is the first person Dany likes and chooses for herself. It is the first time she feels safe enough to explore, she is a teenager after all. Also i dont belive dany loves daario, she does not know him enough and they do not have the same core values. Dany has a crush on him. A big crush and she is letting herself enjoy it. I certainly think she deserves to indulge and take her pleasure.

[@alexjames7144]

Yeah so many people seem to think Dany is stupid for not just fixing the problems immediately but they just resent her restraint and compassion. She's a fat greater ruler than any others we see because she truly cares about her subjects. The number of people complaining she could just butcher her enemies or burn cities clearly aren't paying attention. Dany knows she can, but she also realises that if she does it when it isn't necessary that's a horrific war crime. Plus, the support she has comes from the slaves, if she starts treating them badly too then she's done for.

[@TraciPeteyforlife]

Danny has never been someone I can get behind.

[@TheSDC81]

Great! 👍

[@illCMAC]

Daenerys was one of my favorite characters until this book.

[@mariaosorio2287]

It's so annoying that she refuses to use the dragons....how does she expect to win Westeros without her dragons

[@DavidReadsASoIaF]

She wants to conquer Westeros but doesn’t want to burn innocent children, which is basically an impossible position. Not sure her deciding that a few charred kids is a fair price to pay will portend good things for her though

[@hiswayservicesblog9288]

I think she's also trying to show people that there are sometimes better weapons to use in winning a war besides the most powerful looking ones.

[@christophertracy4377]

I think 🤔 Dany's waiting 4 her dragons 2 grow big enough 2 ride. We all know that she's thinking if I look back I am lost when she walks up 2 Drogon and flies him the 1st time.

[@AminTheClub]

This is her whole internal dilemma for the book. Human heart at conflict. Established in the first chapter with the killing of hazzea

[@Omarion-th1vw]

The same ones who cry that "Dany uses her dragons to much she's a tyrant cause she uses her dragons to solve all her problems." Yet when she doesn't it's annoying

[@arandomguysshh8614]

dany ‘s issues would be solved if she just embraces her” fire & blood “ …another great read as always ❤

[@comradestannis]

She would win if she actually knew how to govern.

[@angelined9814]

Greyworm sure doesn't sound like a eunuch

[@BloodyFoxDK]

If she dont want to use dragons then open war inside of city is the best option in my opinion. Deal with your enemies inside of a city and then with enemies outside. After you break them give pyramids and land outside to your loyalists.

[@comradestannis]

Good fan-art of Daenerys for this chapter!

[@theelectricprince8231]

Dany is just as incompetent as Cersei but without the narcissism

[@jamescr101]

Bruh I ain't a Dany simp by any means but I a wet plank is more competent than cersei, that comparison is so far off lol

[@theelectricprince8231]

@@jamescr101 fair enough, Cersei is her own worst enemy.

[@theelectricprince8231]

If Jon or Asha had half the resources that Dany had they would have cleaned house. Dany is not competent which makes sense since she is nowhere near as educated as those 2.

[@thesamejackalsniperthatkil117]

She has resources stannis would burn shireen for, and she doesn't use them effectively.

[@theelectricprince8231]

@@thesamejackalsniperthatkil117 that's a running theme in ASOIAF, the most competent people are rarely in charge and it is often down to the most popular people or the people that inherent power.

[@alexjames7144]

And half the population of Meereen would die

[@comradestannis]

@@thesamejackalsniperthatkil117 Stannis won't burn Shireen.

[@dominicmccullough6133]

Doesn’t use the Dragons to burn cities.. astapor burns anyways

[@santsi7306]

Did slavery in westeros die after or before the conquest?

[@thetruthofit398]

Dany the best fictional character ever for me!!!!!!!

21:57

[@TheCbot88]

Does Danny want to be Queen or mother Teresa?

[@oz4087]

She has a kind heart, these piece of shit slavers think that means its a weak heart. A mistake they will regret soon.

[@shortstuff780]

She's overly kind, which will hurt her badly, forcing her to go mad. This is all a build up, unlike the show

[@oz4087]

@@shortstuff780 there wont be Mad Queen Dany. Fuck the show its not cannon.

[@shortstuff780]

@@oz4087 yes I know, the show was shit. But a lot of what happened will carry over. And I think George has been planting seed, hell I predicting Mad Queen Danny since A Storm if Swords. If they do it, it'll be a slow build up, not a snap like in Got

[@oz4087]

@@shortstuff780 it would still be a shitty story for her character. It would mean that everything about her journey was pre determined by her blood and upbringing. Essentialy it would mean she never had a chance at anything but going mad as you say. A complete anthisesis of everything George writen about, a complete character betrayal. Besides your "hints" i assume some of her inner thoughts and her dreams? By that definition every single main character is going to go mad. Tyrion, Jaime, Jon Snow, Arya, Jon Con, Bran, Theon are all going insane because they either dreamed some weird dreams, did cruel acts or had cruel and insane ideas or thoughts.

[@thesamejackalsniperthatkil117]

Dany has done more bad than good, and she knows it well. More slaves died than slaves she saved, and her unwillingness to use her dragons, despite being irrational animals, are weaknesses to her. I'll pray to r'hllor that she doesn't end up becoming aenys with teats.

10:40

[@avicebron1217]

Kitty!!

[@Purpmaster]

Danny is such a frustrating character. Too emotional, I think it will be her downfall. It is a fine balance though.

[@Blackkey034]

Women am I right?

[@hiswayservicesblog9288]

She's still young, remember. She's suffered loss. She's at war within herself about her choices. Honestly? It's better than Cersei who wants to kill everyone she dislikes, and can have it done at a moment's whim.

[@hiswayservicesblog9288]

She's trying to do for these former slaves what her brother did not do for her.

[@zer0phasez]

Because shes a human being she going to go mad. Wow.

[@R.D.R.NIGHTINGALE]

Shes 14.

[@shinjinobrave]

This weaver has some audacity, damn

[@comradestannis]

From the chapter: ---- Each morning, from her western ramparts, the queen would count the sails on Slaver’s Bay. Today she counted five-and-twenty, though some were far away and moving, so it was hard to be certain. Sometimes she missed one, or counted one twice. What does it matter? A strangler only needs ten fingers. All trade had stopped, and her fisherfolk did not dare put out into the bay. The boldest still dropped a few lines into the river, though even that was hazardous; more remained tied up beneath Meereen’s walls of many-colored brick. There were ships from Meereen out in the bay too, warships and trading galleys whose captains had taken them to sea when Dany’s host first laid siege to the city, now returned to augment the fleets from Qarth, Tolos, and New Ghis. Her admiral’s counsel had proved worse than useless. “Let them see your dragons,” Groleo said. “Let the Yunkishmen have a taste of fire, and the trade will flow again.” “Those ships are strangling us, and all my admiral can do is talk of dragons,” Dany said. “You are my admiral, are you not?” “An admiral without ships.” “Build ships.” “Warships cannot be made from brick. The slavers burned every stand of timber within twenty leagues of here.” “Then ride out two-and-twenty leagues. I will give you wagons, workers, mules, whatever you require.” “I am a sailor, not a shipwright. I was sent to fetch Your Grace back to Pentos. Instead you brought us here and tore my Saduleon to pieces for some nails and scraps of wood. I will never see her like again. I may never see my home again, nor my old wife. It was not me who refused the ships this Daxos offered. I cannot fight the Qartheen with fishing boats.” His bitterness dismayed her, so much so that Dany found herself wondering if the grizzled Pentoshi could be one of her three betrayers. No, he is only an old man, far from home and sick at heart. “There must be something we can do.” “Aye, and I’ve told you what. These ships are made of rope and pitch and canvas, of Qohorik pine and teak from Sothoros, old oak from Great Norvos, yew and ash and spruce. Wood, Your Grace. Wood burns. The dragons-” “I will hear no more about my dragons. Leave me. Go pray to your Pentoshi gods for a storm to sink our foes.” “No sailor prays for storms, Your Grace.” “I am tired of hearing what you will not do. Go.” Ser Barristan remained. “Our stores are ample for the moment,” he reminded her, “and Your Grace has planted beans and grapes and wheat. Your Dothraki have harried the slavers from the hills and struck the shackles from their slaves. They are planting too, and will be bringing their crops to Meereen to market. And you will have the friendship of Lhazar.” Daario won that for me, for all that it is worth. “The Lamb Men. Would that lambs had teeth.” “That would make the wolves more cautious, no doubt.” That made her laugh. “How fare your orphans, ser?” The old knight smiled. “Well, Your Grace. It is good of you to ask.” The boys were his pride. “Four or five have the makings of knights. Perhaps as many as a dozen.” “One would be enough if he were as true as you.” The day might come soon when she would have need of every knight. “Will they joust for me? I should like that.” Viserys had told her stories of the tourneys he had witnessed in the Seven Kingdoms, but Dany had never seen a joust herself. “They are not ready, Your Grace. When they are, they will be pleased to demonstrate their prowess.” “I hope that day comes quickly.” She would have kissed her good knight on the cheek, but just then Missandei appeared beneath the arched doorway. “Missandei?” “Your Grace. Skahaz awaits your pleasure.” “Send him up.” The Shavepate was accompanied by two of his Brazen Beasts. One wore a hawk mask, the other the likeness of a jackal. Only their eyes could be seen behind the brass. “Your Radiance, Hizdahr was seen to enter the pyramid of Zhak last evening. He did not depart until well after dark.” “How many pyramids has he visited?” asked Dany. “Eleven.” “And how long since the last murder?” “Six-and-twenty days.” The Shavepate’s eyes brimmed with fury. It had been his notion to have the Brazen Beasts follow her betrothed and take note of all his actions. “So far Hizdahr has made good on his promises.” “How? The Sons of the Harpy have put down their knives, but why? Because the noble Hizdahr asked sweetly? He is one of them, I tell you. That’s why they obey him. He may well be the Harpy.” “If there is a Harpy.” Skahaz was convinced that somewhere in Meereen the Sons of the Harpy had a highborn overlord, a secret general commanding an army of shadows. Dany did not share his belief. The Brazen Beasts had taken dozens of the Harpy’s Sons, and those who had survived their capture had yielded names when questioned sharply … too many names, it seemed to her. It would have been pleasant to think that all the deaths were the work of a single enemy who might be caught and killed, but Dany suspected that the truth was otherwise. My enemies are legion. “Hizdahr zo Loraq is a persuasive man with many friends. And he is wealthy. Perhaps he has bought this peace for us with gold, or convinced the other highborn that our marriage is in their best interests.” “If he is not the Harpy, he knows him. I can find the truth of that easy enough. Give me your leave to put Hizdahr to the question, and I will bring you a confession.” “No,” she said. “I do not trust these confessions. You’ve brought me too many of them, all of them worthless.” “Your Radiance-” “No, I said.” The Shavepate’s scowl turned his ugly face even uglier. “A mistake. The Great Master Hizdahr plays Your Worship for a fool. Do you want a serpent in your bed?” I want Daario in my bed, but I sent him away for the sake of you and yours. “You may continue to watch Hizdahr zo Loraq, but no harm is to come to him. Is that understood?” “I am not deaf, Magnificence. I will obey.” Skahaz drew a parchment scroll from his sleeve. “Your Worship should have a look at this. A list of all the Meereenese ships in the blockade, with their captains. Great Masters all.” Dany studied the scroll. All the ruling families of Meereen were named: Hazkar, Merreq, Quazzar, Zhak, Rhazdar, Ghazeen, Pahl, even Reznak and Loraq. “What am I to do with a list of names?” “Every man on that list has kin within the city. Sons and brothers, wives and daughters, mothers and fathers. Let my Brazen Beasts seize them. Their lives will win you back those ships.” “If I send the Brazen Beasts into the pyramids, it will mean open war inside the city. I have to trust in Hizdahr. I have to hope for peace.” Dany held the parchment above a candle and watched the names go up in flame, while Skahaz glowered at her. Afterward, Ser Barristan told her that her brother Rhaegar would have been proud of her. Dany remembered the words Ser Jorah had spoken at Astapor: Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought honorably. And Rhaegar died. (A Dance with Dragons - Chapter 30 - Daenerys V)

[@kalkwiese]

I fear Dany's tragedy might be her turning mad after all the bad she had to live through, even though she started with the best intentions. Stay strong, Dany!

[@comradestannis]

Just listen to Reznak, at least at times, smdh

[@awashmanager853tag2]

Growing disdain for Danny.

[@kurg2650]

SPEAK UP!

[@elevenjordan4042]

Dany just🤦🏽‍♂️. Is treating the slavers so well and her people so bad. Letting the slavers do what they want but won’t help admiral groleo. She basically took his sword bow and other weapons and said “now fight my enemies!” What a dork! It’s ok if the sons of the harpy kill people but the shavepate better hold back on his violence. Grow up dany, u maybe young but ur literally not a innocent girl ignorant of the ways of war.

[@comradestannis]

Westeros > Essos Westeros is faaaar more interesting.

[@Kingedwardiii2003]

1:24 ugggggghhh! Cmon use your dragons! You have nuclear weapons at your disposal that no one can fight against but you sit on your hands and do nothing!

[@comradestannis]

Tbf, they're not fully grown.

[@adisalekuwa8004]

Danny don’t listen she is becoming more and more annoying!

[@comradestannis]

God, I hate the Orientalism of the Meereen chapters.

[@santsi7306]

This is interesting. Explain?

[@comradestannis]

@@santsi7306 I don't feel like it.

[@fsharp9811]

Shut up lol

[@comradestannis]

@@fsharp9811 You shut up.

[@odiadordeisrael]

You have no idea what orientalism means.

[@deepsp_ce]

dany: "my walls are strong though." yea, you can thank drogo for that, hun