[Part of him is more and more done with this conversation, but the rest of him is quite aware that, whatever else happens, he still needs her, her armies and dragons. The North needs her, and the world needs him to succeed in convincing her. So for that, he tries to quiet his annoyance.

And then, if for some reason she found herself here what should have been years ago for him, some of her confusion might make sense.]

Not much from that part of the world reaches the North, and I was not yet king. I know that Slaver’s Bay is said to be free.

Do you think she would leave that place before time?

[He may be hiding most of his annoyance, but what it leaves apparent is a kind of sober weariness.]