Ned was escorted to the dining hall, where Illyrio was waiting for him. The chubby man stood and greeted Ned, "Lord Stark, it is good to see."
"It is good to see you as well, Magister," Ned said with a bow.
"Please, please sit down. Let us enjoy our last meal together,"
"Thank you, Magister."
Illyrio clapped his hands, and the servants began to serve dinner. It was a wide variety of food, some of which Ned was not familiar with, but tried and found appealing. He and Illyrio sat in silence and ate while the entertainers played music in the background.
"So, Lord Stark, are you looking forward to meeting Queen Rhaesa?"
"I'm not sure; I was on Robert's side against her brother during the rebellion. I don't know how she will react to my coming to Meereen for help against Joffrey," Ned said.
"You'll find that Rhaesa Targaryen is far more reasonable than her father and Viserys. She will understand your motives for joining the Rebellion."
Ned nodded, but he wasn't wholly convinced. After all, he remembered the saying, Madness, and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born, the gods toss the coin in the air, and the world holds its breath to see how it will land. Ned wasn't sure where the coin had landed for Rhaesa Targaryen. He hoped on the side of greatness, and from what Ned had heard, it sounded like it did.
The night continued, and Ned watched as the Magister got drunker and drunker. He did not indulge as much as he did, as Ned needed to have all his senses for his trip the following day. After eating his fill, Ned excused himself and went to his chambers. Before he retired for the evening, Ned made sure that everything he needed was packed. Ned had his armor of leather set out for the following morning, and his sword Ice was laid out close to his bed. Ned got into his bed and tried to go to sleep, but he was anxious about meeting the Dragon Queen and her Horse Lord husband.
And there was the rumor from Lord Varys that Rhaegar was somehow alive. Ned didn't understand how that was possible if Ned was there when Robert caved in Rhaegar's chest with his war hammer. No one could have survived that. But for argument's sake, if Rhaegar was alive, was Ned going to tell him about Jon? Ned decided that if the rumors were true, he would see what kind of person Rhaegar was first before making his decision.
Ned didn't end up getting a lot of sleep. He didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning. But when Ned finally did fall asleep, if he felt like he had barely closed his eyes and he was awakened by one of the servants knocking at his door with his breakfast. While Ned ate, the servants came into the room to take his trunk and other bags to the horses that would then take his things to the ship.
Once he was finished with breakfast, Ned quickly bathed and got dressed then put on his boiled leather armor. He strapped Ice to his back then walked downstairs, where the servants were waiting for him with the horses. Ned rode down to the bay, and his things were loaded into the cargo hold of the ship. They had only been waiting for Lord Stark, once he boarded the ship set sail and head out to sea. The boat would make several stops on its way to Slaver's Bay, and it would at least take two to three months to arrive in Meereen.
Meanwhile, in Meereen, Rhaesa, Drogo, and Daenerys, along with Ser Barristan, Ser Jorah, and Missandei, and several Unsullied and Dothraki were walking the streets of Meereen. Rhaesa wanted to see the condition of the city to see what needed improvement. Many of the former slaves greeted Rhaesa and Drogo with enthusiasm. They were happy to see their monarchs take an interest in their people.
As they walked the streets, Rhaesa was happy to see that the markets were functioning as they should be and that trade had not been interrupted. But many former slaves didn't know what to do with themselves now that they were liberated. Rhaesa would have to find some form of employment for them if they were going to survive. In the meantime, she ordered that soup kitchens and shelters be set up to provide for her new people. Rhaesa also knew that a city watch needed to be created to keep the peace. Her Unsullied and the Dothraki couldn't be expected to do that forever. But for now, Rhaesa would have some of the Unsullied posted in the shelters to keep the peace.
Rhaesa had also to set up a small council to help oversee the city. She decided that it would consist of Ser Barristan, Grey Worm, Ser Jorah, Daenerys, Drogo, and Mossador. This former slave had encouraged the slaves of Meereen to revolt against the masters. He was the perfect candidate to speak for the people. There was one more position available on her Small Council. Rhaesa had thought of giving it to Rhaegar but had changed her mind. She thought of a better job for her brother. Rhaesa would ask Rhaegar if he wanted to be the Hand of the Queen, at least until they were ready to sail to Westeros.
Rhaesa thought that Rhaegar was the perfect person for it since not only had he been groomed his entire life to rule, but he was also trained in war tactics. If it that was needed between her husband, brother, and her sworn swords, their military tactics would be near impossible to defeat. Rhaesa decided she would ask Rhaegar when he arrived from Yunkai. Rhaegar had sent Rhaesa a raven from Yunkai, reporting that everything was going well. The council that he had set up was doing very well, and he was setting up a City Watch with the help of the Unsullied to keep the peace.
Now that everything had been stabilized in Astapor and Yunkai, Rhaegar was soon on his way to join his family in Meereen. He was delighted to see his sisters and nephews again. Little did he know that the peace that his sister was working for was going to be interrupted violently.