It's been over a month and a half since they've taken Meereen. In that month they confronted the slaves who wished to be sold. The majority of them were slaves who were trained to be scribes, tutors, seamsters and soldiers. They seemed pretty adamant to return to their previous lives as slaves if it meant staying off the streets. Understanding their plight, the king and queen offered them all paid labor within the protection of the Great Pyramid.

The semesters have opened a shop where they sew dresses, robes and cloaks. The scribes were stationed at the port to translate for foreign traders and guests. The more clever scribes have been negotiating trade routes that favor both parties. They paid special attention to the tutors as they opened a school in the pyramid where former slaves and nobles alike are taught side by side. Former slaves too old or crippled have been taken into the pyramid to learn skills they are still capable of such as reading, sewing and writing. They've incorporated the Meereenese army into their own forces and have been retraining them under Grey Worm's officers. Needless to say that the Great Pyramid had become quite a crowded place.

Currently, they stood at the back of one of the classes being held at the lower levels of the pyramid. They were taught the basics of math, reading, writing and history. The older students also learned about medicine, economics, and astronomy. Children of thirteen years or older were able to learn the ways of war and how to wield the blade should they choose to do so. Missandei has even offered to teach them different languages such as Dothraki, the common tongue and other dialects of Valyrian.

They watched as the children It reminded them of their days learning under the tutor Ser Willem had hired for them before his death. The monarchs would help whenever they could. They would help a child pronounce a word the never heard of before or help them add and reduce numbers. Dany particularly shined in these lessons. She enjoyed reading and learning and it seems she enjoyed teaching just as much.

"Your Grace." Ser Barristan's hushed whisper pulled their gazes away from the children, "It is time."

The two of them shared a somber look before they quietly departed the lesson. Just the night before they were presented with the body of one of their Unsullied, Stalwart Shield, who had been murdered in a brothel. The Sons of the Harpy had killed him; they were a resistance group who were stoutly against the Targaryen reign. They left a mark of the harpy painted with blood over Stalwart Shield's body. The state of his body suggests that they swarmed him with small knives.

Daemon had ordered Daario to have his men accompany the Unsullied during the night watch. The Second Sons are more suited to urban warfare. He would've had them take over the patrols completely but half of the Second Sons traveled with a portion of their Khalasar to negotiate an alliance with Lhazar. He's also had the sellswords go around the city and pay business owners to have a keen ear for anyone showing loyalty to the Harpies. They've even put a bounty on the Harpies for a thousand Honors. Despite these measures Daemon knows that they'll never find all of the Harpies.

Ser Barristan escorted them to their council. Despite the advice of their council, the twins were dawned in black and red instead of the tokars of the Meereenese. Daenerys wore a long flowing red silk dress, underneath she hid leather trousers and a red vest with her dagger strapped to her leg. Daemon was more obvious in his appearance, head to toe in black leather with a red cloak, his sword strapped on his hip and no doubt a mess of hidden weapons.

Arriving at their chambers they were met with their council members. Their usual council of Jorah, Missandei, Grey Worm, Groleo, and Daario along with their newer additions, Galazza Galare the Green Grace, Reznak mo Reznak, and Skahaz mo Kandaq. Neither Daemon nor Daemerys trusted any of them. Reznak reminded them of Xaro for their taste; his words were as sweet as the blasphemous amount of perfume he adorns in. Skahaz was too eager to please them and always called for the most violent answer to any sort of problem. Galazza has proven to be wise and useful but her true intentions are a mystery to even Daemon, which worries the king.

"Balon Greyjoy is dead." Jorah informed them, breaking the silence. The monarchs froze in their seats, "His body had fallen off a bridge at Pyke."

"Where did you hear this?" Daenerys finally asked.

"One of the scribes you stationed at the port overheard a trader from Pentos talk to his shipmates about it." Missandei stated, "There's rumors spreading of foul play."

The twins took a moment to digest the news before Daario spoke, "It seems that the War of the Five Kings is nearing its end." Daario said with a chuckle, "How many kings are there left now? Two? Three?"

"Three remain." Missandei answered, "Joffrey Baratheon and his uncle, Stannis, as well as Robb Stark."

"The Greyjoys will be forced out of the North." Jorah said confidently, "The Ironborn are masters at sea but they can't hold lands for long."

"This war is coming to a close, Your Grace." Barristan stated, "Within two years or so I believe."

"The window of opportunity is closing." Daario stated, "Perhaps we should already begin to plan our departure."

"No." Daenerys said sternly, "We will not leave the city in ruin like we did with Astapor and Yunkai. We must make sure that Meereen will prosper before we set off. It will be a sign to the other cities that slavery is not the only way to live or make money."

Daemon nodded. The idea of taking the Iron Throne now sounded tempting. They have a thousand ships, a formidable army and elephants that can trample any horse. However, if they leave the people to suffer, are they any different than their masters?

She received respectful nods from their council before Daemon asked, "What of the Isle of Cedars and Yaros? Have our ships landed yet?"

The Isle of Cedars is a large island located at the mouth of Slaver's Bay. It was once a part of Old Valyria before the inhabitants were swept away by waves larger than their buildings. They sent twenty ships of architects and builders to reestablish a port on the northern city of the Isle, Ghozai. They've also sent ten ships to Yaros, a smaller island off the coast of Yunkai. Daemon had suggested making outposts on the islands to keep a closer eye on Astapor and Yunkai.

"Yes, Your Grace, but a single ship has returned with their report. Apparently the men on the Isle of Cedars have ran into a problem with the monkeys of the city." Groleo couldn't help the smirk on his lips, "Apparently the little shits have been quite a nuisance."

"And the men on Yaros?" Daenerys asked.

"They've settled well." Groleo replied, "They've already begun to scope out the island to find a suitable place to begin building."

Daemon nodded, "Good. Anything else?"

A tense silence devoured the room, "What is it?"

"There's been a report from a farmer. The dragons have taken over half of his flock of sheep." Missandei stated gently.

Daemon looked to Daenerys who met their eyes. Just a week ago they were met with the sight of burnt bones that once belonged to a little girl. Her father presented her at court. He spoke of a large winged shadow, a black creature with black and scarlet flame. It was no doubt Drogon. They then heard of Viserion and Rhaegal attacking flocks of sheep up and down the bay. It was getting clearer and clearer everyday.

They're beginning to lose control of their children.

"The Queen and I will handle it." Daemon said sternly. He could see that Dany was still haunted by the girl's bones. As was he but he preferred to push it to the back of his mind, "Have we heard anything about the Sons of the Harpy?"

Grey Worm answered, "Two more dead, my queen.

'They were attacked in the darkness of night, with the same wounds and all." Daario added.

"They've certainly become bolder." Raznak sneered, "Your Magnificence, allow me to -"

"Thank you for the offer Raznak but I think I have a better idea.'' Daemon interrupted before he gave the three newcomers a polite smile, "I believe that should be all for today."

The council waited for the monarchs to stand before they did. They were then left alone with each other, "Do I want to know of this plan?"

He shrugged, "Not until I have everything figured out." He leaned in and gave a kiss to her cheek, "I'll make sure it'll go off without a hitch."

Daemon waited for nightfall to set before he enacted his plan. He made his way down to the catacombs beneath the pyramid. There he found his destination. Illuminated by four torches he saw a group of fifteen former slave children. None of them were younger than twelve or older than sixteen.

They were guarded by a dozen Second Sons as well as Daario. He had tasked Daario to find children who met his specifications. Each one of them had been living on the streets before they had been taken to the pyramid. They all had full meals and brand new clothes. After being taken to the catacombs they were told that they were being tasked with a special mission appointed to them by the king.

"They're all here." Daario stated.

"Good, there's a sack of gold in your room." Daemon had agreed to give Daario extra gold for this mission. He stepped forward to see each one of the former slaves staring at him, "I'm sure you are all wondering why you have been brought here." He said in Valyrian, "As you all know there have been attacks by the Sons of the Harpy. Cowardly men in masks who claim to do the budding of a god, a god who seeks to return you to chains." He let out a heavy sigh, "We don't know who are the men behind the masks. That is why you're here to find out."

"How are we to do so, Varsar?" A girl asked.

"The masters are hiring their old slaves back with wages as little as measly as a worm." He declared before Daario tossed down a small sack on the ground. Gold spilled out of the sack, "I am asking you to infiltrate their pyramids as their servants. You must listen to their conversations and find out their plots and secrets. Together we will end the Harpy's tyranny once and for all." He took a step back, "The choice is yours."

Daemon's demeanor remained calm and collected but inside he was nervous. He hopes they choose to take this offer. He needs everything ready before he can tell her.


Jorah and Barristan watched as the king and queen sparred amongst the other recruits. The bloodriders would scream, shout and jeer at their Khal and Khaleesi. The many recruits watched in awe as the king taught the queen. Many times Red Flea had to remind them to continue on with their drills.

They were using wooden swords to spare. Daemon has already deemed Daenerys' skills with her dagger sufficient enough. The queen let out a grunt as she parried an attack from Daemon. Barristan had suggested the queen use a short arm sword or even a bastard sword rather than a longsword given her smaller build. He even pointed out that Daemon's blade was likely forged for a woman given its shorter length.

"You're too hesitant." Daemon stated as the twins circled each other.

Daenerys replied by charging him with a downswing. Daemon easily redirected the attack and tripped Daenerys. The queen unceremoniously stumbled to the dirt. The others all froze as Daenerys groaned in frustration.

"Don't lunge, your grace." Ser Barristan instructed as the queen got to her feet.

Daenerys nodded before she said, "Again."

"Your Grace." Missandei approached them, "We have a situation."

The king and queen gave her an inquiring look before she quickly began to explain, "It's Lyman, he wishes to fight."

"Take us to him." Daenerys immediately replied.

Missandei nodded before she led the group towards the grounds where the younger trainees trained. The boys and girls here were three and ten, the legal age to join their ranks. They all froze at the sight of their king and queen. Eventually they found the sight of Lyman trying to push past a pair of Unsullied.

"Let me through, I want to fight!" The boy demanded before he saw the king and queen approaching.

"What's the meaning of this Lyman?" Daemon asked calmly.

"I want to fight!" He suddenly exclaimed before he quickly corrected himself, "I am sorry, Your Grace, I didn't mean to yell."

"It's fine, Lyman." Daenerys said assuringly before she knelt down to meet the boy face to face, "But you're only a boy, nine years of age from what Missandei has told me. You should be studying with the other children."

"But I want to train, so I can be ready for when we leave for Westeros." He explained, "I want to be ready to fight the Lannisters."

"We understand." Daemon placed a hand on Lyman's head, "We've been waiting to go back home for a very long time. But we need to have patience."

"There are many things we must do here before we can depart." Daenerys added, "Things that are just as important as Westeros. For example, the former slaves, they still need our help."

"And our dragons are much too small for us to take to war." Daemon said kneeling down next to the queen, "We need them to grow so they can protect themselves and our people."

"So we'll be staying for a long time?" The boy asked.

The twins paused before Daenerys gently said, "We don't know but I assure you, sweetling, we will return home, all of us."

"In our time here you should learn more about the city as well as learn Valyrian." The king suggested.

"Can Missy teach me?" Lyman asked hopefully.

"I would love to." Missandei answered with a smile.

"Now run along." Daenerys stood before Missandei and Lyman departed.

"We're going to be here for a long time aren't we." Daemon let out a deep sigh as he watched the boy's shrinking figure.

"We must, 'no more Astapors' remember?" She replied before she faced Daemon who seemed dazed, "What's wrong?"

He turned to meet her eyes, "I need to tell you something."


"You're leaving." Daenerys calmly said.

Daemon could only nod, "It was like with you on the ship. It was so real but at the same time it felt too outlandish to be." Daenerys nodded in understanding, "She said to find answers I need to leave for Asshai. I figured that since we're not heading for Westeros any time soon that I'd have enough time to find out what she meant."

"I understand." Daenerys stood from her seat next to him and made her way to the balcony, "You need to find out who this 'One enemy' is. Quaithe has proven to be our ally in the past but still, what is there in Asshai?"

"I've made preparations to counteract the Harpies." Daemon stated, "I've sent spies into the pyramids of the masters and I've instructed the Second Sons to accompany the Unsullied during night patrols."

"It won't be enough." Daenerys said looking down at the city, "Once word gets out of your departure they'll become more bold."

"I believe that you'll be more of a match for them." Daemon joined her at the balcony, "You'll have Barristan and Jorah overseeing your training and they'll be with you at court. You'll hardly notice I'm gone."

"That's impossible." Daenerys turned to face him with a sad smile, "I understand why you must do this though I wish you didn't have to."

"I know." He shrugged, "Asshai is home to many mystical mysteries, perhaps there I can find out more about our dragons. Like how to control them better."

"That would be useful." Daenerys sighed, "Just promise me that you won't go overboard."

He scoffed, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"So perceptive about everything but yourself." She chuckled at his second scoff, "Back to our dragons, perhaps you should take one of them."

"What?" The king was dumbfounded, "Why?"

"You need to find out more about them so maybe it would be best to witness your findings first hand." She suggested, "It's just a thought."

"No it's a good idea." He quickly assured, "I suppose I could have Viserion tag along. All write down whatever I find out and send it to you."

A tense silence enveloped them. This will be the first time they've been separated since Viserys sold him away.

Daenerys finally spoke, "Just make sure you come back after you've done what you needed."

"I promise."