"My daughter… you are confused," said the red priestess with a soft, almost maternal smile, while her eyes burned like embers fixed on Daenerys.
"You must stop following that extraterrestrial demon and return to the correct path. You are still in time to fulfill your mission."
'Extraterrestrial demon…?' Daenerys thought, bewildered.
'Is she talking… about my husband?'
Before she could respond, Rhaenys stepped forward.
"What correct path is that you speak of?" she asked, her voice firm, trying to extract information from the sorceress… and buy time.
The priestess slowly turned her head toward her.
"Child," she replied with dangerous calm, "the original enemy of R'hllor has always been the God of Cold. The Great Other. But the arrival of those foreigners… changed everything. They altered the fate of the world. They brought death, chaos… and false gods."
Rhaenys narrowed her eyes.
"So your god is a benevolent god?" she asked sarcastically, letting out a mocking laugh.
"A savior who will bring peace and prosperity to this world?"
In truth, every second she spoke was a silent prayer for the guards to arrive.
"He is the only true God," the priestess answered without flinching.
"Our lord burns in the eternal struggle against the Great Other: cold and death. And now… against the foreigners."
That was enough.
Killing intent flooded Rhaenys's chest like a raging fire. Without thinking, she drew the dagger at her waist and aimed it directly at the woman's neck.
"Witch!" she shouted furiously.
"Though many believe I am a believer, I am no superstitious fool. Damn flame-worshiper! When my husband arrives, he will show you true power… and split you in two with his Valyrian steel scimitar."
For the first time, the priestess's serene expression cracked.
Her lips barely moved.
"…Valyrian steel."
Rhaenys noticed it instantly.
'She's afraid,' she thought with cruel satisfaction.
'So it was true… sorcerers fear Valyrian steel.'
Just as Kerse had told her.
The priestess finally looked away from the dagger and fixed her gaze once more on Daenerys. Her expression softened again, almost compassionate.
"Daenerys," she said gently.
"I am not your enemy. I am your guide. Come with me."
Daenerys took a deep breath.
She felt the weight of destiny, of words, of prophecies… and yet her decision was clear.
"I'm sorry," she replied firmly, without trembling.
"I don't know why you believe my husband is a demon. But whatever happens… I will always stand by his side."
The priestess watched her in silence, searching for a crack, a doubt, a hesitation.
She found none.
For a moment, something like regret crossed her gaze. Then she composed herself and stepped back, accepting defeat… for now.
Before leaving, her voice echoed like an ancient whisper:
"To go north, you must travel south."
"To reach the west, you must go east."
"To move forward… one must step back."
"And to touch the light… you must first pass beneath the Shadow Lands."
The silence she left behind was more unsettling than her presence.