Irri and Jhiqui dress Daenerys in the Dothraki style, and she goes to the waterfront with Aggo, Jhogo, and Ser Jorah. She must flee again, as Pyat Pree is gathering the surviving warlocks to do her ill. Xaro says that while the warlocks are shadows of their former selves, their powers appear to be growing again and many strange things are happening in Qarth. Ever since the House of the Undying collapsed, the people of Qarth have feared her. The Tourmaline Brotherhood has called for her expulsion, while the Ancient Guild of Spicers wants her dead. The Thirteen have not openly acted against her thanks to Xaro's efforts, but he has cooled as well. He offered one last time to marry her, but she refused. He then tried to buy a dragon for a few ships, and when rebuffed he refused to speak to her again. Now he has informed her that he will no longer support her or her people and they must leave.

Daenerys speaks with Ser Jorah about her visions in the House of the Undying as they ride. He thinks they are meaningless, but she is sure they are important. Daenerys arrives at the docks and glances over the ships belonging to the Thirteen, including Xaro's own Vermillion Kiss, Bride in Azure, and Sunblaze, just arrived with slaves from Astapor on Slaver's Bay. Knowing none of the guild ships will help her, she talks to all the trading captains of the Summer Isles, the Free Cities, and Westeros to try and find passage for her people. The captains of Ardent Friend, Trumpeteer, Silken Spirit, and Lord Faro's Belly all refuse to take her; Quicksilver and Greyhound set too high a price; Pinchbottom Petto and Sloe-Eyed Maid are too small; Bravo is going the wrong direction; and Magister Manolo does not look seaworthy. As they head for another quay, Ser Jorah alerts her that two strangers are following them. They stop at a brass seller, and Daenerys sees them reflected in one of the brass platters. As they decide what to do, a man comes up and gives her a box with an emerald inside. As Daenerys opens it, the man gives his apologies as the emerald reveals itself to be a creature with an almost human face and an arched tail with a venomous stinger. Suddenly, the box flies out of her hand. All is confusion for a few moments as Aggo and Jhogo arrive and apprehend the two men that were following. Daenerys orders them released. The man who gave her the box was a Sorrowful Man, and the creature within was a manticore. The old man saved her by knocking it out of her hand and killing it. The old man introduces himself as Arstan and his companion as Belwas. Arstan is squiring for Belwas. They were sent by Illyrio to bring Daenerys back to Pentos. They have brought three ships with them, Saduleon, Summer Sun, and Joso's Prank. Daenerys agrees to go with them, but says the ships must be renamed Vhagar, Meraxes, and Balerion.