Contents
DAENERYS — Chapter 17
Overview
Daenerys hosts Xaro Xhoan Daxos, who offers thirteen galleys on condition she immediately sails to Westeros. After confirming the ships are seaworthy, Daenerys rejects the bargain to avoid abandoning Meereen. Spurned, Xaro threatens her and departs, leaving a bloody glove—an unmistakable declaration of war—tightening the noose around Meereen.
Summary
At a sensual feast in Meereen, Daenerys entertains dancers and receives Xaro Xhoan Daxos of Qarth. He flatters her, debates slavery’s necessity, and warns of gathering foes: Yunkai’s expanding alliances, Astapor’s collapse, and warlocks seeking vengeance. He offers thirteen galleys to carry her to Westeros if she swears to depart at once.
Daenerys, wary of Qartheen bargains, agrees to inspect the ships. On the terrace, Barristan Selmy advises that the fleet could take her home by year’s end, while Daenerys wrestles with duty to Meereen versus her birthright. She orders Admiral Groleo to survey the galleys at dawn.
In court, Lord Ghael of Astapor begs for help against Yunkai; Daenerys refuses to send her Unsullied, insisting freedmen choose for themselves. Later, Groleo reports most ships are sound and rowers can be retained. Her council splinters: some fear slaughter if she leaves, others press her to go. Concluding she will not abandon Meereen to Astapor’s fate, Daenerys resolves to stay.
Daenerys summons Xaro and returns his condition: she will accept the ships but will not swear to depart. Xaro reveals his true hostility, calling her too dangerous to live; she warns him away under threat of dragonfire. He leaves her a grand Valyrian-era map but departs in anger.
By morning, Xaro’s flagship is gone, but his thirteen galleys remain flying red streamers. A messenger presents a bloodstained glove, which Daenerys recognizes as a formal declaration of war, confirming that her refusal has turned Qartheen support into open enmity and tightened the imminent siege against Meereen.
Who Appears
- Daenerys TargaryenQueen of Meereen; debates leaving for Westeros, inspects Xaro’s fleet, chooses to stay, and receives a Qartheen war declaration.
- Xaro Xhoan DaxosQartheen merchant prince; offers thirteen galleys if Dany departs, argues for slavery, then threatens and declares war when refused.
- Barristan SelmyQueen’s advisor; urges sailing to Westeros, helps arrange ship inspections, vows vigilance against warlocks.
- Admiral GroleoPentoshi admiral; inspects the galleys, deems most seaworthy, urges accepting the fleet.
- Skahaz mo Kandaq (Shavepate)Head of Brazen Beasts; distrusts outcomes if Dany leaves, advises routes and risks of marching along the coast.
- Reznak mo ReznakSeneschal; frets that Meereen’s loyalists will be slaughtered if Dany departs.
- Grey WormCommander of the Unsullied; proposes overland march resupplied by ships.
- Strong BelwasBodyguard; restrains Lord Ghael after he spits at Dany.
- Lord GhaelAstapori envoy; begs for aid against Yunkai, insults Dany when refused.
- MarselenCommander of the Mother’s Men; promises to follow Daenerys wherever she goes.
- Symon StripebackLeader of the Free Brothers; argues that thirteen ships cannot carry everyone and challenges Barristan.
- Mollono Yos DobCommander of the Stalwart Shields; warns of the deadly ‘demon road’ overland route.
- RommoElder jaqqa rhan; insists Dothraki will ride, not sail wooden horses.
- IrriHandmaid; serves Dany and voices Dothraki superstition about the number thirteen.
- JhiquiHandmaid; shares concern about sailing and the ‘poison water’ of the sea.
- Hizdahr zo LoraqNoble of Meereen; present at the feast, watches the dancers, a political presence.
- MezzaraYoung hostage from House Merreq; brings Dany breakfast, symbol of political leverage.