Daenerys

           ThefliescircledKhalDrogoslowly,theirwingsbuzzing,alowthrumattheedgeofhearingthatfilledDanywithdread.

           Thesunwashighandpitiless.Heatshimmeredinwavesoffthestonyoutcropsoflowhills.AthinfingerofsweattrickledslowlybetweenDany’sswollenbreasts.Theonlysoundswerethesteadyclopoftheirhorses’hooves,therhythmictingleofthebellsinDrogo’shair,andthedistantvoicesbehindthem.

           Danywatchedtheflies.

           Theywereaslargeasbees,gross,purplish,glistening.TheDothrakicalledthembloodflies.Theylivedinmarshesandstagnantpools,suckedbloodfrommanandhorsealike,andlaidtheireggsinthedeadanddying.Drogohatedthem.Wheneveronecamenearhim,hishandwouldshootoutquickasastrikingsnaketoclosearoundit.Shehadneverseenhimmiss.Hewouldholdtheflyinsidehishugefistlongenoughtohearitsfranticbuzzing.Thenhisfingerswouldtighten,andwhenheopenedhishandagain,theflywouldbeonlyaredsmearonhispalm.

           Nowonecreptacrosstherumpofhisstallion,andthehorsegaveanangryflickofitstailtobrushitaway.TheothersflittedaboutDrogo,closerandcloser.Thekhaldidnotreact.Hiseyeswerefixedondistantbrownhills,thereinslooseinhishands.Beneathhispaintedvest,aplasteroffigleavesandcakedbluemudcoveredthewoundonhisbreast.Theherbwomenhadmadeitforhim.MirriMazDuur’spoulticehaditchedandburned,andhehadtornitoffsixdaysago,cursingherforamaegi.