A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys
Summary
Drogo is too weak to ride. He falls from the horse, which in Dorthaki world means that he’s not fit to be a leader. Dany discovers that Drogo’s wound festered and he’s beyond healing. She summons Mirri hoping that she can use her magic to save him. Mirri tells her that there is very dark spell she can try and that she doesn’t know if death is not cleaner. Dany is certain that she wants to save Drogo. During the incantation the situation in Khalasaar erupts. Dorthaki fight among each other to claim the power relinquished by Drogo. Dany starts hurting and looks like she’s going into labor. She is brought to Mirri to deliver the baby.
Quotes
Khal Drogo reeled in the saddle, tilted slowly, and fell heavily from his horse.
Qotho glared down at her, his eyes hard as flint. “The maegi.” He spat. “This I will not do.”
“You will,” Dany said, “or when Drogo wakes, he will hear why you defied me.”
“There is a spell.” Her voice was quiet, scarcely more than a whisper. “But it is hard, lady, and dark. Some would say that death is cleaner. I learned the way in Asshai, and paid dear for the lesson. My teacher was a bloodmage from the Shadow Lands.”
“Only death may pay for life.”
“Death?” Dany wrapped her arms around herself protectively, rocked back and forth on her heels. “My death?” She told herself she would die for him, if she must. She was the blood of the dragon, she would not be afraid. Her brother Rhaegar had died for the woman he loved.
“No,” Mirri Maz Duur promised. “Not your death, Khaleesi.”
Dany trembled with relief. “Do it.”
“The maegi,” someone else said. Was that Aggo? “Take her to the maegi.”
No, Dany wanted to say, no, not that, you mustn’t, but when she opened her mouth, a long wail of pain escaped, and the sweat broke over her skin.
Commentary
I find this chapter very frightening. Martin’s ability to put terror into the heart of the reader really shines here.
One aspect of the fear is caused by the fact that Drogo is dying. The mighty Dorthaki, who promised to conquer Seven Kingdoms, Dany’s Sun and Stars is mortally wounded. And by now we know that it’s not a dramatic effect, that Martin will have no problem letting this character die.
But the really frightening things happen after Dany takes Mirri’s offer. We don’t know what she’s getting into, but the promise of something to which death is cleaner gives enough for every reader’s imagination. The combination of the trauma caused by Dorthaki seeking her death and dark spell being cast by Mirri sends Dany’s heart racing and pushes her over the edge - she goes into labor.
Mirri Maz Duur uses Dany’s unborn son, the Stallion Who Mounts the World to pay for Drogo’s death. Too late Dany decides that the price is too high. By the time she wants to back out she’s being carried to the tent where terrible ritual is taking place and the fate of her child is sealed.
I hate this chapter.
Not because it’s bad. I really appreciate the writing skill of GRRM in this particular part of the book.
I hate the feelings this chapter invokes in me. And I think that next time I re-read the story I’ll just skip it.
Tags: Daenerys
