Chapter 35 - Treating the poison 1
When we all came to the same understanding that the leader of the House of Black and White had arranged this meeting for more than one purpose, the heavy mood in the hall eased a little. The tension that had filled the room slowly faded. Even the Sealord seemed calmer now. The fear had not disappeared, but at least there was a path forward.
The Sealord looked toward Leaf again.
"When can you begin the treatment?" he asked. "Now? Do you need anything?"
Leaf nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, but I will need some herbs," she said. "They will help draw the poison out of your body."
The Sealord frowned slightly.
"But you said the poison was like a shadow," he said. "You said you sensed something unnatural. Are you not removing that shadow with your abilities?"
Leaf nodded again.
"Yes, Your Grace. But the shadow and the poison are connected. They are not separate things. Some problems cannot be solved with magic alone. Sometimes natural remedies must work together with other abilities."
Sealord listened carefully and seemed satisfied with that explanation.
"Come," he said. "Syrio will show you the healer's chambers in my residence. You may find the herbs you need there. And if they are not there, we can bring them quickly from the markets of Braavos. Or even from the other Free Cities if necessary."
Leaf smiled slightly.
"Do not worry, these are common herbs. If your healers keep a proper store, we will find them."
She nodded towards me and I asked Val to accompany her.
With that, Leaf, Val and Syrio Forel left together toward the deeper parts of the mansion. They would go to the healer's rooms to begin preparing the treatment.
As they departed, the Sealord said, "Come, Lord Manny, in the meantime I will show you what you came for."
I quietly gestured to Emma.
"Stay with the Targaryen siblings," I told her softly.
Emma nodded without question. She moved toward Viserys and Daenerys, who had remained quiet during most of the discussion.
I followed him through several quiet corridors of the mansion.
After walking for a few minutes, he stopped in front of a heavy iron door. Two guards stood nearby, but they stepped aside immediately when the Sealord approached.
"This is one of my treasuries," he said.
The Sealord pushed the door open.
Inside the chamber were several chests, shelves, and locked cabinets. It was clearly not the main treasury of the Sealord, but it still held many valuable things. Yet my attention was drawn immediately to a stone table in the center of the room.
On that table rested dragon eggs. Not one or two, but nine.
They looked almost like large stones now, but their shapes were unmistakable. Each egg was oval, slightly longer than the length of a human head, and thick with hardened scales. The surface of every egg was patterned with overlapping plates like the scales of a dragon itself.
The colors were different for each egg.
Some were deep red mixed with black streaks, like cooled lava. Others were pale green with lines of gold running through the scales. One egg was dark blue, almost like the color of a stormy sea, with silver patterns across its surface. Another had shades of cream and bronze, its scales dull but still beautiful in shape.
According to old stories from the time of the Targaryens, dragon eggs often carried such colors. Each egg was unique, with patterns that resembled the dragons that might have it after hatching.
But these eggs had long ago turned to stone. Their surfaces were cold and lifeless. Whatever life had once rested within them was gone. At least, that was what most people believed.
Still, the sight of them was impressive.
The Sealord stepped closer and gestured toward the table.
"This is the collection," he said. "All the dragon eggs gathered by the Sealords of Braavos over many years."
He walked slowly around the table as he spoke.
"Some were brought from former Valyrian strongholds after the fall of their power. Some came from the Free Cities, traded or purchased from collectors. A few were discovered in ruins, in old forgotten places."
"Some came from Westeros many years ago. And some were sold to us quietly, stolen first, and then brought here for gold."
He paused and looked back at me.
"These nine are the biggest collection of dragon eggs in the entire world today. You may not find nine even if you gather all other eggs."
The dragon eggs lay silently on the table. Dead stone, most would say.
But that did not concern me.
After all, the Mother of Dragons is currently waiting for us in the main hall.
The Sealord looked once more at the dragon eggs resting on the stone table.
"I will have them packed for you," he said. "They will be placed in strong trunks. You may take them once my matter is finished."
I nodded in agreement. There was nothing more to say about it for now.
Together we left the treasury and walked back through the quiet corridors of the mansion toward the main chamber.
When we entered, we saw that Leaf had already returned. On a nearby table were several herbs, small bowls, and a mortar she had borrowed from the healers' rooms. The sharp smell of crushed leaves filled the air.
Leaf looked up when we entered.
"Sealord," she said, "please prepare a quiet room. I will need silence for the treatment."
The Sealord immediately agreed. Without hesitation he led us deeper into the residence. Syrio Forel followed closely beside him, watchful as always. I walked with them while Val and Leaf carried the herbs and tools.
Emma and the children were left in the chamber.
After a short walk we entered a private chamber. It was simple but comfortable. A bed stood in the center, and the windows were closed to keep the room quiet.
Leaf looked around once and nodded.
"This will do."
She turned to the Sealord.
"Please lie down on the bed," she said gently. "Flat on your back."
The Sealord removed the upper part of his clothing as Leaf asked and lay down on the bed. The room grew silent as everyone watched.
She began preparing the herbs. She crushed several leaves together and mixed them carefully into a thick paste. The smell was not awful. Surprisingly it gave a light fragrance of trees and earthy.
At the same time, she began chanting softly.
The language she used was unfamiliar to everyone. It was the language of the Children of the Forest, ancient and strange to the ears.
None of us could fully understand it.
I could recognize a few bits and pieces because of our time connection, but even I could not truly understand what she was saying.
Her voice remained steady as she worked.
After finishing the mixture, she helped the Sealord sit slightly and gave him the herbal paste to swallow. He did not hesitate. He trusted her completely now.
Once he swallowed the mixture, she placed her hand gently on the center of his chest, over his heart.
Then something strange happened.
Her fingers began to glow with a soft green light.
End of Chapter 35 - Treating the poison 1