Wineseller
| The Wineseller | |
|---|---|
| Aliases | |
| Culture | Lyseni (possibly) |
| Died | Dothraki sea |
| Books |
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| Played by | Simon Lowe |
| TV series | Game of Thrones: Season 1 |
The wineseller is a wine merchant who attempts to assassinate Daenerys Targaryen in Vaes Dothrak.
Contents
Appearance
The wineseller is a small man, slender and handsome, with flaxen hair curled and perfumed in the Lysene style.[1]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
The wineseller is part of the trade caravan of Byan Votyris, encamped in the Western Market of Vaes Dothrak. He offers thimble-sized cups of wine to passersby, calling out a list of his wares in fluent Dothraki. The wineseller offers the pregnant Daenerys Targaryen a sample of sweet Dornish red, saying that all she needs is a taste and she will name her child after him. When Daenerys responds affirmatively in Free Cities Valyrian, the wineseller gapes surprisedly at her, and asks if she is Tyroshi. Daenerys explains that she is actually Westerosi, and her handmaid Doreah proclaims her full identity as a khaleesi and princess of the Seven Kingdoms.
The wineseller kneels to Daenerys, and then offers a cask of dry red from the Arbor, saying it is far more worthy of a princess. In actuality, the Arbor red is poisoned, and he hopes to reap the reward of a castle and lordship offered by King Robert I Baratheon for the death of Viserys or Daenerys and her unborn child. However, Ser Jorah Mormont, who has learned of the assassination offer via a letter from Illyrio Mopatis, intervenes and demands a taste. The wineseller tries to stall, but relents and pours him a cup. When Jorah tells him to drink it first, and Daenerys insists that he do so, the wineseller throws the cask at them. He tries to flee, but is quickly captured by Daenerys's warrior, Jhogo. Byan Votyris then arrives and orders two of his guard to keep the wineseller imprisoned to be sentenced by Daenerys's husband, Khal Drogo. As a token of his regret that a member of his caravan should do such a thing, Byan gifts the wineseller's goods to Daenerys.
After Daenerys returns to her camp in Vaes Dothrak, Jorah explains the letter he received, and Robert's desire for the death of her and her son. When Khal Drogo returns from hunting that evening, and Jorah says this wineseller may only be the first such assassin, the khal vows that he will conquer Westeros for his and Daenerys's son. Drogo also gifts Jorah and Jhogo horses from his own herds. Furthermore, Drogo sentences the wineseller to death, saying that he ran from Daenerys, but better that he should run after her. The day Drogo's khalasar departs Vaes Dothrak, the wineseller is stripped naked and chained at his neck and wrists. The chains are attached to Daenerys's silver mare, and the wineseller must run after her to keep up, barefoot and stumbling, until his death.[1]
A Clash of Kings
When Daenerys hears that King Robert Baratheon has died, she recalls the poisoning attempt upon her and her unborn son.[3]
In the House of the Undying in Qarth, Daenerys sees a vision of a naked and bloody corpse dragged behind a silver horse.[3]
A Storm of Swords
While traveling from Qarth on a ship belonging to Illyrio Mopatis, Daenerys and Jorah discuss who she can trust. Jorah says that Illyrio may not be trustworthy, as he is devious and clever. Daenerys argues that she needs clever men around her, and Jorah points out that the wineseller was a clever man too.[4]
In Meereen, Daenerys learns from Ser Barristan Selmy that Jorah has been spying on her, sending information to Varys and thus to Robert Baratheon.[5] Barristan says that he had been present at Robert's small council when Varys reported that Jorah said Daenerys was pregnant, and she realizes that Jorah is the reason for the wineseller's assassination attempt. Jorah protests that he stopped Daenerys from drinking the wine, and says she has to forgive him. Daenerys remembers that she dragged the wineseller behind her horse until there was nothing left, and does not know what the man who sent him deserves, who also saved her and cared for her. In the end, Daenerys sentences Jorah to be banished.[2]
Quotes
Sweet reds, I have sweet reds, from Lys and Volantis and the Arbor. Whites from Lys, Tyroshi pear brandy, firewine, pepperwine, the pale green nectars of Myr. Smokeberry browns and Andalish sours, I have them, I have them.[1]
—Wineseller to Daenerys Targaryen
That? Dornish swill. It is not worthy of a princess. I have a dry red from the Arbor, crisp and delectable. Please, let me give you a cask.[1]
—Wineseller to Daenerys Targaryen
I am not worthy of this vintage, my lord. And it's a poor wine merchant who drinks up his own wares.[1]
—Wineseller to Jorah Mormont
Daenerys: I need clever men about me if I am to win the Iron Throne.
Jorah: That wineseller who tried to poison you was a clever man as well. Clever men hatch ambitious schemes.
Daenerys: You will protect me. You, and my bloodriders.[4]
Jorah: Daenerys, it was me who stopped you from drinking the wine.
Daenerys: Yes. And how was it you knew the wine was poisoned?
Daenerys: I know you betrayed me. I know a poisoner tried to kill my son, because of you. That's what I know.[2]
Jorah: I... I but suspected... the caravan brought a letter from Varys, he warned me there would be attempts. He wanted you watched, yes, but not harmed. If I had not told them someone else would have. You know that.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 54, Daenerys VI.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 71, Daenerys VI.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 57, Daenerys V.
External Links
Wineseller article on the Game of Thrones wikia.