Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord.

Chapter 223 The Dothraki

Melisandre's eyes revealed a mysterious light, and she patiently explained: "Your Majesty, this is a kind of magic. It requires your close cooperation and a little bit of the king's blood as a sacrifice. And you happen to have the blood of the king, and you also have the magical blood of the Valyrian Dragon King."

Gavin thought to himself, sure enough, the opponent was using the shadow magic of the Shadow Binder. The so-called "cooperation" was self-evident. However, the shadow created by magic actually had the powerful power to kill the sea monster, which gave Gavin a new understanding of the Shadow Binder's ability.

"Thank you for your kindness. I will solve these problems myself, so you won't have to worry about them." Gavin's tone was decisive and resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

Melisandre did not show any displeasure when she heard this. She still maintained that mysterious smile and continued, "Your Majesty, please allow me to stay in Meereen during this period. I have traveled in Essos for many years and have a good understanding of this land. Perhaps I can bring you some unexpected help. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, during this period, I will never talk about your faith."

Gavin hesitated for a moment, his eyes deep and sharp, as if he was thinking about some important decision. Then he said slowly: "Of course, you can stay in Meereen. If you need anything, you can go to Jalal."

Melisandre nodded slightly, and a barely perceptible light flashed in her eyes, which seemed to conceal some deep meaning. "Your Majesty, thank you for your generous hospitality."

After that, Melisandre slowly left the hall. Gavin quietly watched her leave, his brows slightly furrowed, his thoughts surging like a tide.

He knew that his appearance was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples and changing many of the originally planned plots. Things that were supposed to happen step by step were now full of uncertainty and unpredictability because of his every move.

What is certain is that the Red God's target is the God of Cold, and to achieve this goal, R'hllor can sacrifice anyone without hesitation. He would never send Melisandre to his side for no reason.

There must be some kind of plan behind this, and I seem to have become a pawn in the other party's plan without realizing it.

Gavin felt an invisible pressure looming like a dark cloud. He knew that he must gain a foothold in Essos as soon as possible. Only in this way could he always have a basis for advancement and retreat and have sufficient initiative.

Thinking of this, Gavin immediately called Jalal and ordered him to send a message to the Stonehenge Islands and tell Hassan to find a suitable opportunity to capture Tyrosh.

Tyrosh is different from Myr and Volantis on the mainland. Like Lys, it is an independent island. Gavin now has the most powerful naval force. Although it may be difficult to control the disputed land, it is easy to capture Tyrosh with the existing strength of the Stepstones.

Gavin secretly calculated that by the time Hassan captured Tyrosh and marched towards the Disputed Lands, he might have successfully solved the problem of Drogo. By then, he could lead his army to the Disputed Lands, taking a two-pronged approach. In this way, he might be able to capture the Disputed Lands in one fell swoop and further expand his sphere of influence.

A month later, Lazarin.

The once prosperous town now looks like a hell trampled by demons. With the arrival of the Dothraki, it has completely turned into a miserable ruin.

Most of the once prosperous houses were devoured by the merciless flames, leaving only ruins lingering in the desolate area. Charred wooden beams fell to the ground in all directions, some of which were still emitting faint sparks.

On the streets, corpses lay scattered like dead autumn leaves, and the pungent smell of smoke and blood intertwined and permeated every corner.

The survivors were driven together like frightened birds, their eyes full of fear and despair, a kind of helplessness, like a group of lambs to be slaughtered, waiting for an unknown fate.

Dothraki warriors rode their tall war horses and patrolled around them, waving their whips from time to time, driving these "sheepmen" who had become slaves, making crisp sounds.

The sun scorched the earth mercilessly, as if it wanted to evaporate the last bit of life on this land.

The slaves had already set up a sunshade tent for Khal Drogo and his blood guards, and carefully served him fresh wine and food.

Drogo sat leisurely under the tent, his bronze skin gleaming metallically in the sunlight, like the armor of a god of war. His long braids that almost reached the ground were even more eye-catching, with bells tied to them. With his every move, the bells occasionally made a slight sound, as if telling of his past glorious achievements.

In Dothraki, a man will only cut off his braids when he is defeated in battle, which is his act of shame to let the world know his shame. Dothraki warriors will tie small bells to their braids. After each victory, they will add a bell to their braids to commemorate the victory. This long braid is not only a decoration, but also a symbol of their glory and strength.

At this time, bloodrider Qotho strode into the tent. His eyes were full of excitement and greed. He picked up the wine in front of Drogo and drank it all. The wine flowed down his throat. He smacked his lips and said loudly: "Blood of my blood, those weak sheep people can't resist our warriors at all. This time we have gained a lot, there are 10,000 slaves alone. After selling them, we can buy more scimitars and equip more warriors." His voice echoed in the tent, as if announcing their victory to the whole world.

Every khal has one to three bloodriders, who have a close relationship with the khal. The bloodriders are both the khal's guards and his brothers. They can share everything with the khal. In some tribes, this even includes the khal's wife. Of course, except for the khal's horse, the bloodriders and the khal call each other "blood of my blood".

At this time, another bloodrider, Cohollo, interrupted and said, "I heard that the owner of Slaver's Bay has changed. He is a man who can ride a dragon. He is now the biggest benefactor there, but the new benefactor has stopped the slave trade there. Now no one in Slaver's Bay wants slaves."

After hearing this, Drogo shook his head, his eyes revealing disdain and confidence, and said: "No good master does not accept slaves, and no good master dares not to accept Drogo's slaves. When I come over, he dare not refuse to accept them, otherwise I will chop off his head and tear down his stone house."

Haggo frowned and said, "Blood of my blood, I heard he has a dragon and an army of eunuchs and slaves." Khal Drogo stood up, his tall figure casting a huge shadow in the tent, making him look even more burly. There was a hint of disdain in his eyes: "Dragons are extinct, so what if there are dragons? We have many warriors, if he dares to refuse, we will shoot down the dragon with a rain of arrows, and then trample those eunuchs and slaves."

Qotho nodded. "We are right. We have forty thousand Howling Warriors. No other Dothraki khal has ever had so many warriors."

Khal Drogo sat back in his seat, picked up his goblet, refilled it, and drank it all. Just as he was about to speak again, a burst of rapid horse hooves sounded like thunder, breaking the original calm. A scout rode towards the tent like a gust of wind. When he was still some distance away from the tent, the scout turned over, jumped off the horse lightly, and quickly came towards Drogo.

"Khal Drogo, there is an army of eunuchs coming from the south, and they are marching towards us." The scout said hurriedly, his breathing was rapid, and beads of sweat were on his forehead. Qotho frowned, and a hint of doubt was revealed in his eyes. He said: "The people coming from the south are from Slaver's Bay. Could it be the new good master? He is the only one who has an army of eunuchs around here."

Cohollo's eyes flashed with anticipation, as if he saw countless treasures, and he said, "Perhaps he heard that the khal was here, and came to give gifts, just like those good lords and governors in the past."

Hago tightened his grip on the scimitar at his waist with a vigilant look in his eyes. He said, "Generally, benevolent people don't bring troops when they send gifts. At most, they bring some eunuchs and guards."

Khal Drogo stood up. His eyes revealed a decisive look, like a sharp sword, instantly cutting off everyone's arguments: "Go and see for yourself. Gather all our warriors."

"Yes, blood of our blood!" The blood guards responded in unison. Their voices were like thunder. Then they quickly took the order and left the tent.

Since the Dothraki never wear armor, their only weapons are bows and arrows on horseback and arakhs, which allow them to engage in battle as soon as they mount their horses.

Not long after the horn sounded, the huge Khalasar was already in action. Countless roaring warriors gathered from all directions and assembled around Kao.

Soon, forty thousand roaring warriors formed a powerful cavalry. Their momentum was like a towering mountain, intimidating.

Khal Drogo waved his whip, pointed to the south, and shouted, "Let's go! Let's go and see the gifts of the new lord!" His voice was like the roar of a lion, echoing on the grassland.

At his command, the Dothraki army surged southward like a tide. The sound of horse hooves roared like war drums, and the dust they raised formed a huge cloud of dust behind them, like a giant dragon tumbling in the air.

The Dothraki did not conceal their actions, and their whereabouts were soon discovered by scouts.

Gavin, who received the scout's report, instantly became as sharp as an eagle's eyes. On this plain, the infantry was at a great disadvantage against the cavalry, and they had to stop marching and form a battle array on the spot, otherwise the long team would be easily cut into several sections by the cavalry.

After thinking for a moment, Gavin decisively ordered: "The Unsullied Legion will form a formation on the spot to guard against attacks. Inform Kyros to send out all the cavalry and keep an eye on the movements of the Dothraki. The Second Legion will accelerate and assemble here."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Several heralds immediately took the order and left.

Gavin stood there quietly, looking at the vast flat plains around him, feeling a little helpless.

This terrain was too unfavorable for him. Cavalry could fully exert their mobility and impact here. Moreover, Drogo's 40,000 roaring warriors were like a surging tide, while he only had 20,000 troops, all of them infantry. The difference in numbers between the two sides was like a chasm that was difficult to cross.

Gavin knew very well that it would be difficult for infantry to defeat cavalry due to their mobility, and the only chance of victory was to use the Blazing Shadow to carry out a decapitation operation.

The Dothraki khal is like the enemy's heart. Once it is broken, Khal Drogo's khalasar will immediately collapse like a building without its pillars.

After that, all we need to do is let these Dothraki feel the ravages of the dragon in the sky, and we can completely disperse them.

"How long will it take for the Dothraki to arrive?" Gawen broke the silence, his voice steady and powerful.

Upon hearing this, the scout immediately replied respectfully: "Judging from the enemy's marching speed, they will meet us before dusk."

After hearing this, Gavin nodded slightly, then turned to Jalal and ordered: "Go and bring all the commanders to my tent."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Jalal took the order and left.

Not long after, Gavin's generals gathered in his tent. The atmosphere in the tent was serious, and everyone's eyes were focused on Gavin.

Gavin looked at everyone with sharp eyes, then said calmly, "I'm sure you all know the news from the scouts. The Dothraki will not arrive until dusk, so we still have plenty of time. This area is a flat plain with no suitable terrain for us to use. So I plan to form a battle array on the spot to attract Drogo to attack. The Unsullied Legion will be deployed in the front to resist the Dothraki's frontal attack; the Second Legion will use chariots to form a chariot array to defend the left, right and rear to ensure that the enemy will not break through from the flank and rear."

Upon hearing this, Kael bowed respectfully and replied with a worried look on his face: "Your Majesty, the Dothraki are all cavalry, and they are very mobile. If they do not choose to attack head-on, but adopt a siege tactic, we will be in a very passive situation."

Gavin shook his head slightly and said calmly, "Don't worry. It may be difficult to please a person, but it is easy to anger him. Drogo has just become the Horse King. Only some humiliation can force him to take the initiative to attack. Even if the opponent does not attack, as long as I find the position of "Drogo", I can immediately get rid of the opponent. This is why I have never revealed the Blazing Shadow. The Dothraki all have horses. If they scatter and adopt guerrilla warfare, we will be passive."

Jalal, who was standing by, asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, how are you going to humiliate him?"

Gavin just smiled and didn't answer.

(End of this chapter)