Sister's Keeper

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones

Languages:

Dothraki

Valyrian

Common Tongue

Old Ghiscari

Chapter 18: Astapor

The ship had reached Astapor, one of the three slave cities in Slaver's Bay. Also known as the Red City. Watching from the bay at the early hours of dawn seeing the Astapori emblem facing the sea made entirely of gold. The Harpy of Old Ghis. We arrived two days ago, as the Captain and Ser Jorah went ashore to talk to one of the Good Masters. The person in charge of distributing the Unsullied. When Ser Jorah returned, he said a meeting has been arranged and to come the day after tomorrow,

"Alysanne," Daenerys said walking up to me. "Are you sure about this? Buying slaves for our cause?"

"Not really," I replied. "But if I buy them, I have an army who I can treat better than anyone in Essos. I can sack a city, and no woman or child will be rape. At the same time, they will still be view as property. Best thing to do is seeing my options before deciding."

Daenerys nodded.

"I have a plan, and I need your help with it," I said.

"Of course, anything," she said.

"Astapor speaks in low Valyrian," I started. "It's a good thing our family learns both Common Tongue and Valyrian at the same time. I want the Masters to believe they have the advantage over us. Two Westerosi women in unknown territory. So only speak in common tongue. Even if they say crude and insulting remarks, act like any traveler and be naïve."

Ser Willem had a tutor to teach High and Low Valyrian. All of Valyrian language in general. Our surrogated father did so much for our family. Educating us to succeed, even though we didn't get much because the Stranger took Ser Willem. He tried teaching Viserys how to be a ruler, but that didn't stick.

"Why? We are Targaryens, we should be treated as Queens?" she asked.

"I'm the Exiled Queen, and you are a Khaleesi of a small Khalasar," I answered. "We may be strong, but the world sees us weak because we are women. That is our advantage. Trust me. I need you to let me do most of the talking on this. Once I decide, I will give you more details."

"Does Ser Jorah know of your plan?" she asked.

"No, the fewer people know, the better," I answered. "It can lead to Fire and Blood."

"You're scary when you plot plans," she murmured. "I forgot that revenge prank when we were kids."

I chuckled from that memory. One of our host's children did a mean prank on us. With the help of the eldest daughter, I came up with the perfect revenge. Even got away with it.

"Also, I like how confident you've become," she added.

"Thank you," I said with a smile.

I went back below to change into proper attire. I wore a red gown similar to Daenerys blue attire, along with riding trousers and boots. Follow by a black leather bodice with the dragon details. My hair pulled up in a braid. I need to appear strong. Show the people that I am a Targaryen.

Once done, I came out onto deck seeing Ser Jorah wearing his new armor. Back in Qarth, his metal plated armor became too hot since traveling through the Red Waste and in Qarth, so he custom made new armor. One suitable for the desert environment. What made it unique was the pauldrons have engraving that resembled dragons' tail while on the chest plate was a medallion of a bear. Subtle yet unique as the same with the scarab for his sword.

Daenerys wore her blue attire, hair in braids. It will be us three since Aggo and Kovarro were not well after nearly three months out on the sea. If we get what we desire, hopefully, we can travel by land instead of sailing to Pentos.

"Where to?" I asked Ser Jorah.

"To the Plaza of Pride," he answered leading the way.

.o0o.

When we got to Astapor, we met a man and woman at the Plaza of Pride. The open market where the Good Masters, allow their customers to view their purchases. In the center of the Plaza stands a red brick fountain with a golden plated harpy standing twenty feet tall. The man was tan, having a bald head with a trimmed beard dressed in white, green and yellow. Next to him was a young woman with dark skin and dark tightly curled hair as a black leather collar wrapped around her neck.

"Welcome to Astapor, Queen Alysanne, and Princess Daenerys," the young woman said. "May I have the honor of introducing you to my Master, Kraznys mo Nakloz. One of the Good Masters of Astapor."

"Thank you," I said. "We appreciate your time to show us your trade."

The woman translated in low Valyrian to Kraznys. He smiled, his brown eyes analyzing me though linger at my breast. I smiled back, holding my disgust in what this man was doing. Once the introductions were out of the way, Kraznys escorting us out of the Plaza of Pride to see where a sample of the Unsullied was kept.

Kraznys lead the way talking about the Unsullied as he had sixty-five men stay out in the open all day and night to give an example. The young slave woman spoke, "The Unsullied have stood here for a day and a night with no food or water."

Kraznys continued his explanation as he led us to one of the terraces where the Unsullied stood. All in light black leather armor holding spears and shields. On top of the head were helmets masking the majority of their face except for the eyes.

"They will stand until they drop." She said, as her master continued. "Such is their obedience."

Without a single word, the Unsullied did a half-face, stepping back creating an aisle allowing us to walk through and stand on the platform. They returned to attention and did an about-face, twisting their ankles until addressing us at attention.

"They may suit my needs," I said. "Tell me of their training?"

The slave girl translated, "The Westerosi woman is pleased with them, but speaks no praise to keep the price down. She wishes to know how they are trained."

"Tell her what she would know and be quick about it. The day is hot." Kraznys replied.

"They begin their training at five," the translator explained. "Every day they drill from dawn to dusk until they have mastered the shortsword, the shield, and the three spears. Only one boy in four survives this rigorous training."

Kraznys who stood next to me spoke as the translator repeated in common tongue. "Their discipline and loyalty are absolute. They fear nothing."

"Even the bravest men fear death," Ser Jorah reminded.

The translator spoke to her master, "The knight says even brave men fear death."

Kraznys shrugged, "Tell the old man he smells of piss."

"Truly, Master?" the translator asked.

"No, not truly," he scolded that made the woman flinched. "Are you a girl or a goat to ask such a thing?"

He continued his rant, adding insults here and there.

"My master says the Unsullied are not men. Death means nothing to them." The translator said.

"Tell this ignorant whore of a Westerner to open her eyes and watch." He said, stepping down.

"He begs you attend to this carefully, Your Grace," the Translator said.

Kraznys gestured one of the Unsullied over. He moved the man's shield arm and spear arm aside, exposing him. He took the dagger off the Unsullied belt and cut open the straps of his armor. I realized what he was doing and frown.

"Tell the good master that there is no need for a demonstration," I ordered.

"She's worried about their nipples?" Kraznys asked, pinching the flesh together getting enough before cutting the nipple off. "Does the dumb bitch know we've cut off their balls?"

Blood seeped from the wound as Kraznys tossed the discarded flesh onto the ground.

"My master points out that men don't need nipples," the translator said.

Kraznys fixed the strap and corrected the Unsullied posture back to attention. Before playfully smacking his arm, "Here, I'm done with you."

"This one is pleased to have served you," the Unsullied said, then stepped back into his squad.

Kraznys turned around facing us pleased that his Unsullied that he mutilated showed no sign of pain in his eyes or voice. He explained how the Unsullied become the Unsullied.

"To win his shield, an Unsullied must go to the slave marts with a silver mark, find a newborn and kill it before its mother's eyes. This way, my master says, we make certain there is no weakness left in them." The translator said.

"You take a babe from its mother's arms, kill it as she watches, and pay for her pain with a silver coin?" Daenerys asked.

"The Princess is offended. She asks if you pay a silver coin to the mother, for her dead baby," the translator told her master.

"What a soft mewling fool this one is," Kraznys murmured and continued.

"My master would like you to know that the silver is paid to the baby's owner, not the mother," the translator explained.

I took a deep breath, "How many do you have to sell?"

The translator told her master in which he lifted eight fingers. "Eight thousand."

"Tell the Westerosi whore she has until tomorrow," Kraznys informed.

"Master Kraznys asks that you, please hurry. Many other buyers are interested," the translator said before she and her master left.

I stood there staring at the sixty-five Unsullied men. Comprehending what Kraznys and the translator told us about the Unsullied. There are eight thousand men who are ready for battle. One out of four boys survive this brutal training. By the time they are ready, they must prove themselves by killing a newborn in front of the mother. The mother is not compensated, but the owner. I closed my eyes trying to do the math of the number of lives murdered. Basically, thirty-two thousand children are dead from this horrendous practice, from the eight thousand newborns to the twenty-four thousand boys who died during the training. I did not see the Unsullied as elite killers. No, I saw boys who lost their childhood the moment they turn five. Boys were managed to escape the first ritual of turning another young man into an Unsullied.

I jumped off the platform and walked over to the Unsullied who was mutilated. "Does it hurt?"

The soldier remained at attention not saying a word. However, I can see it in his eyes as they were watery, yet not enough to shed a tear. That is all I need to know. The same eyes I once held of being an obedient wife to appease Viserys as he had his way with me.

It's time to remind the Masters of the Valyrian Freehold.

.o0o.

We left the Plaza of Pride making way back to the ship. A lot was lingering through my head, as we were all bewildered in the practice the Good Masters have on the Unsullied. How Kraznys simply took a dagger and mutilated a man to make an example. What disgusted me the most is the thirty-two thousand dead children in order to make the eight-thousand Unsullied. And those are the ones in Astapor. This practice has been going for centuries or thousands of years?

"Eight thousand dead babies," Daenerys said baffled from the preview.

We were walking our way back to the docks to return to our ships.

"The Unsullied are a means to an end," Ser Jorah agreed.

"Once I own them, these men…" I started.

"They're not me. Not anymore," Jorah interrupted.

"Once I own an army of slaves, what will I be?" I asked.

"You think these slaves will have better lives serving men like Kraznys or serving you?" Jorah replied.

We stopped observing the dock seeing slaves and fishermen working together to get the latest products out to the market. On the pier was a young girl holding a ball. She smiled waving at us. Daenerys waved back as she stepped down. Jorah and I followed her continuing our conversation about the Unsullied.

"You'll be fair to them. You won't mutilate them to make a point." Jorah said. "You won't order them to murder babies. You'll see they're properly fed and sheltered. A great injustice has been done to them. Closing your eyes will not undo it."

We stopped as Daenerys was playing with the girl. The girl smiled rolling the ball over to her. Daenerys smiled back as she knelt down collecting it. The girl made a gesture to open it. Assuming it was a puzzle, Daenerys did so when all of a sudden, a man in a dark cloak attack, knocking my sister down. Ser Jorah grabbed the man while I rushed to Daenerys but stopped as the ball opened and a creature resembling a jeweled scorpion came out. However, this was not any scorpion. No, it was the most dangerous kind that it has its own name. A manticore, as it held a jade jewel carapace, an arched barbed tail, and an unsettling human-like face on the stinger. One sting is fatal to humans.

"Don't move," I whispered to Daenerys.

She was on the ground eyes widen. Slowly I tried to draw my sword hoping to stab it. However, it gave a hiss scurrying forward towards the attack. Daenerys tried to crawl back. Before it could strike the hooded man, who escaped Jorah hold and stabbed the scorpion with his dagger. Looking up, we stared at the little girl whose appearance chance, no longer looking innocent. As her face grew hollow and teeth turn black while her lips became blue. The hooded man went after the girl who ran away jumping into the water.

I helped Daenerys up, noting the hooded man gazing at the wall. We followed his gaze seeing the girl giving a deviant stare.

"The Warlocks," Daenerys said.

I nodded since we did kill some of the warlocks and the Undying Ones at the House of the Undying. Their attempt at revenge. Should've burned the place to the ground before we left. Sighing, I stared at the man who removed the manticore off his blade carefully with a rag and stomped on it preventing its poison of being od use.

I walked over to the stranger, "Thank you for saving my sister, ser."

"The honor is mine, my queen." The man said in a Westerosi accent removing his hood.

My eyes widen as if staring at a memory. He is an older man, with white hair and lined features. His eyes were a pale blue, almost as if he was sad. Age has gotten to him, but a déjà vu of seeing a long-lost companion eighteen years ago. Ser Jorah was astonished as I was while Daenerys stood there confused.

"You know this man?" Daenerys asked.

Ser Jorah nodded, "I know him as one of the greatest fighters the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen and as the Lord Commander of Robert Baratheon's Kingsguard."

"King Robert is dead," the man said. "I've been searching for you two, Alysanne Targaryen and Daenerys Stormborn, to ask your forgiveness. I was sworn to protect your family. I failed them." He bends the knee. "I am Barristan Selmy, Kingsguard to your father. Allow me to join your Queensguard, and I will not fail you again."

I stood there in shocked unable to respond. Remembering this man standing by the door keeping watch. The man who was mainly assigned to protect Rhaegar. As he went with my brother to fight alongside him at the Trident. The man who was bound by his service as a brother of the Kingsguard to serve whoever sits on the Iron Throne. As Ser Jorah said, he was the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. And yet, Ser Barristan Selmy kneels before me asking for forgiveness and be a member of my Queensguard. I haven't thought about a Queensguard. It has been Daenerys, Khal Drogo, Ser Jorah, and I from the beginning after Viserys death.

"Alysanne," Daenerys said, placing a hand on my shoulder snapping me out of my trance.

"Ser Barristan…" I managed to say.

He looked at me with those blue eyes, as he drew his sword, "I will shield your back, keep your counsel and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New."

I took a deep breath placing a hand on his shoulder, "I vow that you shall always have a place by my hearth and meat and mead at my table. And I pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you into dishonor. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New. Arise, Ser Barristan Selmy."

Ser Barristan stood up sheathing his sword. Overwhelmed, I lead them back to the ship. Daenerys was curious, that she asked Ser Barristan question about King's Landing, about our family. I think the most embarrassing question was when Daenerys said, "What was Alysanne like when she was three?"

"She was a playful child, she and Princess Rhaenys would cause trouble for the septa." Ser Barristan answered. "One time she climbed into a wardrobe somehow locked herself in. The castle was in a panic. Until Rhaegar found her, basically asleep."

"I don't remember that," I said.

"It was a month after your birthday," Ser Barristan said.

"So, is it true, my sister was kept in a tower?" Daenerys asked.

I tensed, as did Ser Barristan. Ser Jorah glanced at him to know the truth.

"King Aerys became paranoid the year your sister was born. In fear that enemies would kill her, he kept her safe in Maegor's Holdfast towers. Rhaegar had to fight tooth and nail for her to go outside." Ser Barristan answered.

Well, that explains why I have a limited memory of King's Landing. Because I was trapped in one room. That is why I don't remember much, only a handful of people and Dragonstone. That is my limited knowledge of being in Westeros. Daenerys nodded as she looked at me surprised. No doubt, she thought Viserys comment of me being locked in a tower was a joke. Sadly, it was true.

"If you'll excuse me, I have some things I need to do," I said.

"Your Grace," Ser Barristan spoke.

"Yes, Ser Barristan?" I replied.

"When you have time, I wish to know what has happened over the years?" He asked.

I took a deep breath, "Follow me. I shall tell you what has happened over the years."

I lead Ser Barristan to my cabin where Viserion laid on the bed. The golden dragon lifted its head giving a shriek to the knight. This startled Ser Barristan almost drawing his sword, but I stopped him going to the clay pot pulling out a chunk of meat and tossed it at Viserion. The dragon caught it in his mouth and ate it raw.

"Be nice, or I won't feed you," I scolded Viserion. The dragon raised a brow glaring at the old knight. I sighed, "Forgive Viserion, he is protective."

Ser Barristan nodded, bewilder in seeing a dragon. I lead the knight to the windowsill pouring two glasses of wine. The knight sat down accepting the drink, still staring at Viserion who went back to sleep.

"Marvelous creature, isn't he?" I murmured.

"Yes, but deadly," he replied.

"Indeed," I agreed. "Now, you want to know what happened?"

Ser Barristan nodded.

"After my mother, Queen Rhaella passed away from the complications of childbirth, Ser Willem Darry smuggled Viserys, Daenerys, and I out of Dragonstone to Braavos. For five years we lived there under his protection, in the house of the red door. When he passed away from an illness, the servants kicked us out, and we lived on the streets until a host from a wealthy family took us in. We never stayed in one Host lodging to long, from Myr, Tyrosh, Qohor, Volantis, and Lys. Our last host being Magister Illyrio Mopatis in Pentos."

I told Ser Barristan everything. Those sadden blue eyes widened when I told him when Viserys forced me to marry him, the five years of being abused while protecting Daenerys from his wrath. Probably comparing my experience to that of my parents. Then I told him about Daenerys wedding to the Dothraki warlord, Khal Drogo, from Viserys dying by molten gold, the raids in Lhazar, Drogo's death by the witch, the dragon's resurrection, and the events that transpire in Qarth. Not going over the specifics of magic, for even I don't understand it, then the consequences of pain and death.

After I told him my side of the story, I asked Ser Barristan to tell me what has happened in Westeros. He explained that Robert Baratheon became king; however, he was not able to save the woman he loved, Lyanna Stark. The woman who started a war. Instead, he married Tywin Lannister daughter Cersei. Over the years, the Kingdom fell into a neutral term, as Robert whore and drank his way through the Seven Kingdoms while Lord Jon Arryn took charge as Hand of the King. When Jon Arryn died, so did the new dynasty of chaos. Robert Baratheon being killed by a boar, Joffrey Baratheon demanding Ned Stark's head, and the start of another Nine Penny kings now called the War of the five kings. The same information that Xaro Xhoan Daxos gave me. The worse was that King Joffrey and Queen Regent Cersei Lannister dishonor Ser Barristan by relinquishing him of his position as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. No Knight can leave the Kingsguard except for death.

"What can you say about this Joffrey?" I asked.

"That he is a spoil cruel boy," Ser Barristan said. "Tormented his younger siblings, butchering small animals, and other things I dare not say."

I took a deep breath, "And they say my father was mad."

Ser Barristan nodded.

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