A/N: Hey, guys. Hope you are all doing well, as usual. Been going through some stuff and some technical difficulties, but I'm fine.
Jon walked to the prison where Daenerys was at. After so long and seeing her for the first time at that trial, he wasn't going to let anything stop him from seeing her. Not like this. Not when she's close.
Barging into the prison governor's quarters, he stood up straight while Ghost provided him with the backup he needed. "I would like to see Daenerys Targaryen in private."
"Your Highness," the prison governor bowed. "It is an honor to finally meet you."
"Just bring her here," Jon had no time for such niceties.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but access to Daenerys Targaryen has been restricted. No one without the emperor's explicit permission can see her."
"You will disobey a prince of the empire, the one who saved your Crown Prince and heir to the throne?"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I must follow the emperor's commands."
Walking up to the prison governor, he grabbed him by the robe and slammed him against the screens. "Maybe I am not making myself clear. You will bring her here so that I will have words to speak with her in private. I have waited too long to see her, and I will talk with her. If you continue to stand in my way, remember that I came back to life. What do you think I will do to you then?"
The prison governor gulped before caving in. Ordering the guards to bring her, he excused himself out as Jon finally laid eyes on Daenerys.
She was as beautiful as ever, but there were dark circles around her eyes and she looked considerably thinner than the last time she remembered, so much so that Jon could swear that he could see some of her bones through her skin. What in the Seven Hells did they do to her, Jon thought in anger. However, he pushed those thoughts aside as he looked upon his aunt, truly for the first time.
As for Daenerys, she managed a wide grin at looking at her nephew before she used her strength to walk up to him and embrace him. But with her incarceration taken a toll on her, she stumbled, forcing Jon to react quickly and keep her from falling to the wooden floor. It was only then did they finally hug, tightly.
Jon didn't care about the stench she gave off, for it wasn't her fault. He was just glad that she was here, alive, and real. For Daenerys, she started to sob in relief, as the man she saw through the flames was there for her. To calm her down, Jon ran his hands through her hair.
"It's all right, dear aunt," Jon shushed her. "You're all right. I'm here."
"I can't believe that it's really you, Daeron," Daenerys knew that Jon had another name, but she wasn't familiar with it.
"And I can't believe it's you," he smiled back. "And my gods, look at you. You must be starving."
"I'll be fine. Seeing you all is all that I needed," Daenerys assured him.
Jon wasn't convinced, but he hugged her again. "Don't worry, aunt. I'm going to get you out of here."
Daenerys smiled at her nephew coming to get her out of there. "I knew you would help me when I needed it."
"But I must tell you some things first," Jon had to speak the truth, getting her attention. "You will not go through more of that trial."
Daenerys raised her eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"The officials in the court and the emperor himself are already convinced of the guilt that you have, of the crime that I know that you did commit. But there's nothing that I can do to stop them."
Daenerys' eyes widened. "What do you mean? Can't you say something to the emperor? You are a prince, right?"
"I don't have that kind of power. I can't overrule the emperor, especially when he decides to be a judge over a trial by himself. He's going to find you guilty and sentence you to death, which is something that I will not allow to happen."
Daenerys nodded, her confidence in her nephew confirmed. "But what will you do? If you don't have that power to stop the trial, what do you intend to do?"
Jon hesitated, for he knew that she might not like what he was going to reveal. "I made a deal with Princess Khiara. She's going to help me and you, and she's going to make sure that you will be freed and safe from harm."
"In exchange for what?" Daenerys was all too familiar with the sorts of arrangements Jon was implying. "You slept with her, didn't you?"
He couldn't deny it. "It was the only way that I could guarantee the safety of my family and you also."
Daenerys shifted away instinctively, the thought of the one she loved being with that tall princess causing her to feel aversion. However, she couldn't judge, for she had done similar things to Jon and for more selfish reasons the last time around. "You did what you had to do," she accepted, but she had difficulty doing so. "But going back, what do you plan with her?"
"I don't know exactly what her goal is, but she assured me that once everything is done, you will be free, and she will need both of our dragons to help her fight off her enemies."
Daenerys scoffed. "So, we're going to be her personal assets?"
"I made it very clear to her that if she didn't deliver on her promise, I will retaliate in kind," Jon said. "And her word is good."
"How could you know that?" Daenerys asked.
"Dear aunt, you don't know her the way I do. She might not be the most pleasant person to be around, but she does know how to work through the many plots in the capital. Like yourself, she had to stand on her own two feet, and she knows what it is like to survive. And we both know that what is between us is purely for our benefits and nothing more," Jon explained. "It's just business between me and her, but for you…" He put her hands on her shoulders. "Can you say that others have what we have?"
Daenerys exhaled before nodding. "No."
"Then please, trust me. You will be free, and we will really begin our partnership here."
Daenerys liked the sound of that. "Partnership?"
"We are dragons after all. Together, we can do great things while terrorizing our enemies."
Daenerys reached up to Jon's face and kissed his cheek. Although they clearly had feelings for each other, both wanted to take it slow at the first time. For that, Jon was appreciative.
"I trust you, dear nephew. But do I have to stay here, in this prison?"
"I will make sure that you have better accommodations and order the prison governor to give you better food. You almost look like a pile of bones right now."
"Hey!" Daenerys was lightly offended. "I've had quite the ordeal. At least don't comment on how I look."
Jon raised his hands up. "All right. I'm sorry."
"What is Princess Khiara intending, finally?" Daenerys was clearly worried.
"I don't know," Jon admitted. "She only tells people what they are supposed to do while keeping the end goal to herself. That's part of the reason why she was able to survive for so long, for she knows when to keep her mouth shut and how to tell people what to do."
Instantly, Daenerys prepared herself for when she did confront her about her relationship with Jon. "I don't care what she has done for you or what is capable of. I will have to emphasize strongly that she just cannot use you for what she wants. You are a dragon after all, so you should embrace that more."
Jon's gaze became firmer. "Believe me, dear aunt. I am taking that more to heart than before and I will never allow anyone else push me around anymore."
Daenerys then noticed Ghost, who was sitting and smiling at her. "And who might this be?"
"Ghost, my direwolf. Just as precious as Meleys," Jon was glad to change the subject.
As expected, the direwolf took well to Daenerys, allowing her to pet his head and scratch his neck.
She giggled at his reaction. "Never thought I would see a real direwolf."
"He seems to like you," Jon pointed out the obvious before Ghost licked her hands.
For just a moment, Jon and Daenerys enjoyed a precious moment with Ghost before they would be thrust into whatever plots they were caught up in. This better work, Jon hoped.
Arya approached the meat place that Sam talked so much about. Curious to see just why he so enjoyed it, she walked to it after sunset. Since Sam was put on their special list, he gave her his wooden chain that he used whenever he ate there. After what she was made to do that day, she felt that she deserved some food.
For the entire day, Khiara had Arya spread slips to the servants in Kaijin's palace, Sumeng's palace, and the officials' quarter in Yin, being discreet about it even though her being a white devil and moving around those spaces would undoubtedly attract attention. Whenever the guards weren't looking or any other onlookers didn't stare her way, she walked up close to the doors and pushed the slips through the screen door cracks, which would surely get the attention of the servants.
"What are on the slips?" Arya asked Khiara.
"Nothing that you need to know at the moment," Khiara answered cryptically.
That only prompted Arya to try to know more. "What's going on here?" Arya knew that something was up, from what she could tell from Jon's busy goings to her palace.
"In exchange for protection and power to Jon, you agreed to do what I asked. Be thankful that I am not asking you to kill anyone, yet," Khiara reminded.
Arya scoffed before taking the slips and doing what she was "asked" to do. If anything, I am a part of her plan, but only she knows the entire layout. It definitely fit her way of thinking, for she didn't want others to know everything that she had in mind. But with the emperor's relations with Prince Yujin already strained and his connections to the very gang that harmed Jon coming to light, Arya sensed that whatever Khiara was planning had something to do with him. Not that I would mind.
While going past Sumeng's palace, she heard moaning from one of the storage rooms and put her ear closer. It was until her near was on the wood that she could make out words. "Oh, my prince! Suck it harder! Make me scream!"
So, this must be the coupling between Captain Dao and Sumeng. She certainly heard about it, but it was an entirely different matter when she was personally hearing it.
She then heard a slap on the heard and more groans of pleasure. "Harder, my prince! Suck it harder!"
Arya rolled her eyes and walked away. No wonder why people don't hold Sumeng in regard. He lets his own captain tell him what to do. She honestly didn't care that Sumeng liked men, but she now had firsthand evidence of how easily impressionable the Crown Prince of the empire. I pity his wife.
Going back to the restaurant, it was also a place frequented by government officials and senior army and fleet officers, so she had to be on the special list or have someone vouch for her. Walking up to the head server, she spoke in guanhua, "I believe you have a reservation for a private table in the name of Samwell Tarly."
The head server looked through the list before closing his eyes and clicking his tongue. "Do you serve in Samwell Tarly's interests?"
"I live beside him in Prince Daeron's palace," Arya answered, but she was perplexed by his reaction.
"In what capacity do you serve Prince Daeron?" the head server asked.
Arya sighed. "Is there a problem?"
"I'm afraid without the presence of Lady Yoon or the Grand Secretary, we shall have to ask for payment in advance," the head server hesitated on the last part.
"Can I ask why?"
The head server ran his hand through his beard. "Already, Samwell Tarly has four outstanding bills with us, one for a banquet and three for regular dining. And one other banquet, which we wrote off. We've been asked to be understanding of that white devil by his Highness Prince Kaijin, but it has been some time now..." Arya groaned. Losing patience, she pulled out a bunch of silver taels and piled in front of the head server. Surprised, he cleared his throat. "May I ask your name?"
"Stark. Arya Stark, and in the future, I will be dining here quite a bit," she responded.
The head server bowed in respect. "Then I shall put you on our special list."
"You do that," Arya nodded. Sam, you and I are going to have a little talk about what just happened here.
The head server guided her to her table, which got her many stares as she was the only white devil and the only unaccompanied woman in that place. She didn't have to wait long for two plates of boiled chicken and seared beef ribs to come her way along with a bowl of steaming rice and other side dishes. She eagerly dug in, enjoying the comforts of what it was to be part of the privileged. She also poured herself a cup of tea and smiled in delight. If only Sansa and the others were here to enjoy this, she thought sadly. These days, she began to miss her sister, the one she bickered with, more and more.
But while she was consuming her food, her eyes widened to see Gendry at that same place, with a group of young officers with him. But it seemed as if they were done eating, for they were being led down a dimmer hall and all seemed drunk. Calling the head server to her, she asked, "Where are those men going?"
"To be entertained," he answered. "It's a custom for this place to service young officers who are about to move up in the hierarchy and to show our gratitude through more drink and… female companionship."
At those words, Arya stood up and walked to the dim hallway. No one is going to be near him but me, she thought. She had heard that there was a certain type of female companion servicing officers and powerful officials and she wasn't going to let another get her claws into Gendry.
Gendry was with her when everything fell apart, when her father died. They stood by each other when they were both fleeing Joffrey's madness and he proved to the kind boy that she needed when she was struggling for her life. And she swore vengeance on Beric and Thoros for selling him to Melisandre, since she was denied the only one who truly understood what she went through. It helped that he was tough, handsome, and knew how to take care of himself. Where am I going to find another Gendry of Flea Bottom, or Baratheon in this case?
Finding her way to what appeared to be where the female companions freshened up, she stormed in, surprising many. "Is this where you dress up?"
"Who is this white devil?" one of them whispered dismissively. At that, Arya drew her dagger and stabbed the table in front of her, causing her to shriek.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to take your place," Arya said to her. The woman didn't need more convincing, for she ran out of the room in fear.
"We're going to sing and provide companionship to young officers. Can you do that?" another asked her.
"I am part of the Jade Order," Arya surprised them all. "I can do what you will do, but much better."
After getting her face covered in white makeup and dressed in rich robes, she concealed her face with a fan and followed the procession to where the young officers were. Many hooted at the women appearing as they sat down and proceeded with the performance. But as Arya revealed her face behind the fan, many were struck at the presence of a white devil performer. She smirked as Gendry was awestruck, not believing that she was here at that moment. Whispering to each of the women the song she was sure they all knew, they readied their instrument and played while Arya herself sang the lyrics:
Sora tobu hane to hikikae ni
Tsunagiau te wo eranda bokura
Sore demo sora ni miserarete
Yume wo kasaneru no wa tsumi ka
Natsu wa aki no senaka wo mite
Sono kao wo omoiukaberu
Akogare na no ka koi na no ka
Kanawanu to shitteinagara
Touriame ga touriame to
Komorebi-tachi ga komorebi to
Nanoru zuttozutto zuttomaekara
Anata wa anata de itandarou?
Juuryoku ga nemuri ni tsuku sennen ni ichido no kyou
Taiyou no shikaku ni tachi bokura kono hoshi wo deyou
Kare ga me wo samashita toki tsuremodosarenai basho e
"See no" de daichi wo kette koko de wa nai hoshi e
Natsu kaze ni aseru kokoro ga
Natsu o sarani haya okuru yo
Memagurushī keshiki no naka
Kimi dake ga tomatte mieta
Kimi to deatta ano hi kara
Patari to yoru, yume wa yanda yo
Tsuchi no naka de machikogareta
Kanaeru sonotoki wa imada
Juuryoku ga nemuri ni tsuku sennen ni ichido no kyou
Hanabi no oto ni nose bokura kono hoshi o deyou
Kare ga me wo samashita toki tsuremodosarenai basho e
"See no" de daichi wo kette koko de wa nai hoshi e
Mou sukoshi de unmei no mukou
Mou sukoshi de bunmei no mukou
Mou sukoshi de unmei no mukou
Mou sukoshi de-
Mou sukoshi de unmei no mukou
Mou sukoshi de bunmei no mukou
Mou sukoshi de unmei no mukou
Mou sukoshi de-
Yume ni bokura de ho wo hatte
Kitaru beki hi no tame ni yoru wo koe
Iza kitai dake mantan de
Ato wa dou ni ka naru sa to kata wo kunda
Kowakunai wake nai demo tomaranai
Pinchi no sakimawari shitatte bokura ja shou ga nai
Bokura no koi ga iu koe ga iu
"Ike" to iu
The young officers clapped, especially Gendry who was amazed that Arya could sing. After setting down their instruments, the female companions went to their chosen officers and sat next to them while pouring them drinks. Gendry continued to look at her while poured for him.
"How are you here?" he could only say.
"Didn't want you with another girl but me," Arya shrugged. They both smiled at each other, as they both revealed that they didn't want to be with anyone else. They spent the rest of the night getting drunk and doing all sorts of things that Arya wouldn't really recollect in the morning. She also played him another song just for him, with the lyrics being numbly heard. It was the first time that she was truly drunk with the one she desired, but she didn't mind. She could rest assured that Gendry would look at no one else but her, as who else can he look for who also shared in his struggles after Joffrey went on his rampage? Mine. All mine, she thought.
Khiara poured Lord Joon a cup of tea upon his entry into her secret house in the perfume merchants' district in Yin. He, along with Minister Zong, had come there in disguise to really discuss the next part of their plan away from prying eyes. And she had to maintain secrecy through and through, to prevent especially the Prime Minister from catching on to what she intended to do.
"Thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice, Lord Joon," Khiara said to him. "And I am glad that you have decided to side with me in this upcoming struggle."
Lord Joon set the cup down. "With respect, Your Highness, I am only here because my son's life is at stake. I hope you won't waste my time."
"Straight to business," Khiara noted before nodding and putting her cup down as well. "And this is why I have confidence that you will play your part in the upcoming struggle to the best of your abilities. Now, onto the first order of affairs. I am sure that Lord Buko has made you aware of what you must do?"
Joon nodded. "I am to ride out to the northern armies and ensure that the northern generals will follow my commands, in effect following yours. Many of them will have no problem doing so, but there might be a few who could cause trouble."
"Really? We were under the impressing that the northern commanders would not dissent from any orders you issue," Minister Zong pointed out.
"I can overrule them by the sheer numbers that I can amass, but I can't just leave them be, for they might prove to be obstacles."
"And we can't have that," Khiara said. "My lord, for anyone who you deem to become a future opposer, I command you to either kill them or arrest them on false charges. However you neutralize them will be to your discretion." Joon shifted uncomfortably at the possibility of killing officers who were serving under his command. "It's not like many will oppose your reasons for doing so. You are a field marshal and Master of the Horse for the emperor, both of those honors not being held by the other generals throughout the empire."
Joon sighed before nodding. "As you wish. I will be able to control Governor Po in the Northeast, since we fought in the same cavalry brigade. But it'll the northeast captain-general that might be a problem, since he will oppose any movement of troops that he deems illegal."
Khiara groaned. "What about his subordinates? I understand that you commanded his quartermaster." Joon bobbed his head. "Then have him be his replacement, should he prove resistant."
Joon immediately went to the next point of concern. "Should all of the northern armies come south in support of you when the day comes, you will have one hundred and fifty thousand men at your fingertips, at least. But that will leave thirty thousand soldiers to guard both provinces and provide support to the Five Forts should the Guardian call for assistance. I don't have to tell you that thirty thousand to guard the northern frontier is not sufficient."
Khiara had expected. She had also agreed to leave the Five Forts' strength alone, for that will cause too much damage to her reputation since the men protecting against the Grey Waste were supposed to be insulated from the politics in Yin. "You were intending to replace the Goi with the Chogo as clients and future recruits for the cavalry in light of what they did?"
"Yes. I merely haven't gotten to implement those changes since I had to assume duties here in the capital."
"Well, now you will have your chance. Accelerate the replacement of the Goi with Chogo men and have them prove their worth as soldiers."
"I will have to provide much concessions, since the Chogo are more resistant to working with the empire and it will take too long to bring up the sufficient replacements for the Goi."
"Do what you must, but do so quickly," Khiara snipped.
"But that will still leave a gap in our frontier defenses."
Khiara also had an answer to that. "You have an agreement with Sela the Hyrkoon, possibily the most powerful of the jhats at this point?"
"Because of her successful negotiations with us, her influence has indeed spread throughout the Jogos Nhai plain," Joon answered.
"Well, how about you start recruiting some of the Jogos Nhai to serve in the army?"
Joon's eyes widened, as did Minister Zong's. "Your Highness, the northern generals will be in an uproar if the Jogos Nhai wear uniforms."
"I understand that as governor of the northwest province, you have the authority to form 'irregular' groups in cases of great emergency, should even the reserves prove insufficient in the interest of defense."
Joon was impressed that she even was aware of that overlooked fact. "Yes, but only if there is an immediate threat from the frontier."
"Well, apply that same logic to recruiting the Jogos Nhai, since they could fill in the gaps in the defenses as you pointed out. But to assuage your concerns, 'irregular' groups are only a temporary measure, so whether you decide to keep them in imperial service or not will be up to you."
Joon was not convinced. "Your Highness, too much blood has been spilled between our peoples. You expect us to work with the Jogos Nhai after everything that has happened?"
"You have a better solution, my lord? Then please, offer it," Khiara commanded him. Seeing that he had no solution, Khiara made her point. "Then it's settled. You will march down with your northern soldiers and reinforce our position here in the capital. Should the southern generals offer resistance, do what you must to remove the threat from them."
"Even though Prince Sumeng lost one hundred thousand men, I will still be facing two hundred and fifty thousand soldiers that can be called up to do the prime minister's bidding."
"I wouldn't be so sure of those numbers," Minister Zong corrected. "Out of that two hundred and fifty thousand, sixty thousand are under the command of Benjen Stark and twenty thousand are in the capital itself, which is under the command of Lord Buko. Even though that still leaves one hundred and seventy thousand soldiers to oppose you, some of the lower and middle-ranking officers who command the battalions and the brigades might not be as inclined to oppose you. After all, you are amongst our most able soldiers and the northern armies are superior in quality. You might face less resistance than you would expect."
Joon took that in. "And what about Prince Daeron? His dragon could tip the scale in your favor before a shot is fired and a blade is unsheathed."
Khiara knew that. "Don't worry about him. I am his only chance to save his aunt and he will do what is expected of him."
Seeing that everything was in place for him, Joon stood up. "Just to warn you, Your Highness. Should you fail to live up to your bargain and my son and captain die, there will be nothing in this world to stop me from seeking retribution."
Minister Zong was about to scold him before Khiara held up his hand. "I would expect nothing less, my lord. But rest assured. My plan will work."
After Joon left, Minister Zong remained. "What do you intend to do with Lord Buko? We can count on Lord Joon to do the right thing, but we cannot allow men like Buko to remain close to the echelons of power."
Khiara nodded her assent. "I don't intend to. I just need him to remove the very structures that allowed sorts like the Prime Minister to gain influence. Once the army and fleet have served their purpose, I intend to restore normality to the empire. To do that, Lord Buko and his ilk will have to be eliminated at the right time and the right set of circumstances."
Minister Zong was relieved. "I might have taken the examinations, but I have always advocated a radical solution that incorporates more innovation and critical thinking. That way, this empire will not fall into dogma."
Minister Zong was the type of reformist that Khiara was willing to work with for the long-term, for he advocated a moderate approach. "And under my rule, it shall happen. Just make sure that the Ministry of War will be ready to assume control of all messages and subordinate the bureaucracy for the time being. Should this go well, I shall make you a lord in your own right."
Minister Zong was grateful. "Thank you, Your Highness. But understand that I do not do this for reward. I can't approach Sumeng and Yujin, and Kaijin is not ambitious. That leaves you."
Khiara clinked her cup with Zong's. She didn't reveal what was to happen to Zong in full detail, but what Arya did in spreading the slips around would be key to the execution of her plan. The relations between the emperor and Yujin had been strained ever since his mother, her father's favorite concubine, had died and he blamed Yujin for that. And with his connections to the criminal underworld becoming more common knowledge, she decided that she should further strain their relationships. And the slips would be vital, for all of them said, "Prince Yujin will be in trouble. Expect his head on a spike before the moon is out."
And she specifically told Arya to not spread those slips to both Yujin's and the emperor's palaces, for that would tip them off. In this way, there will be mass confusion and people will whisper. Given Yujin not acting coolly, he would react violently to the news and thus taking a step towards the most important part of her plan: Yujin harming the emperor.
Once he suspects the emperor to imprison him or charge him, he will act with self-preservation in mind, and father will be harmed. Whether he will be killed or not will depend on how enraged he is. It might have hurt her to put her father in danger, but he had lingered on the phoenix throne for too long and she needed to take action before the Prime Minister became too powerful. If Sumeng ascended to the throne, it will be over for her.
I'm doing what you always wanted, mother. One of your children will rule and I shall see that your efforts have not been in vain, she thought.
Tyrion struggled to move around the Great Pyramid as he scrambled to get on top of the situation, which was deteriorating with each passing day. Missandei's and Grey Worm's opposition to his idea to slowly phase out slavery and compensate the slave masters certainly did not help matters, with the two dragons still in the pyramid adding to his difficulties. If he hadn't occupied such a high position in Meereen, his first reaction to the stress of his duties would have been going to the nearest goblet and getting drunk. Must not drink. Too many things are happening, he thought.
However, Tyrion realized that the slave masters would not be sated in their desire to hold onto their wealth and power and had Grey Worm and Daario tighten the defenses around Meereen with the available forces that they had. From what he could gather, the slave masters would not negotiate with him because they saw no reason to. By now, word had spread through the Slaver's Bay of the alleged survival of Aegon and Rhaenys Targaryen, children of Rhaegar through Elia, and that the Golden Company along with Jon Connington and Prince Quentyn Martell had just disembarked at Astapor, with another rumor pointing them moved along the demon road to Meereen.
Tyrion had certainly heard of the rumors that Aegon and Rhaenys were both alive and he still hadn't seen both in person, but just the word that they were alive really complicated matters for him, for that put two more Targaryens to deal with. It served to undermine Daenerys' position as the only one of House Targaryen left, for her entire claim to the throne rested on the belief that she was the only dragonlord left. He was willing to modify his plan with the existence of Daeron Targaryen, but Aegon and Rhaenys were dangerous threats, dangerous enough for the slave masters to rally around them and not negotiate, confident in their odds of success.
In desperation, Tyrion sent a messenger to Volantis and asked Kinvara for help, which she duly promised in the form of red messengers and "another form of armed support." He was curious as to what she meant by that, but he wasn't going to look at a gift horse in the mouth, so he decided to wait.
"It seems as if you have not really been on top of these circumstances," Daario was quick to criticize him. "The little man of talking, and you have done shit."
"Would you like to take my place then?" Tyrion challenged Daario. "Unless you have better ideas than mine regarding this war, let the ones who are most skilled in this type of work do what they must."
"Which is not saying much at the moment," Missandei joined in. "I might not know how to deal with political types, even I must admit that this current situation is certainly beyond your abilities. Not only did you present a proposal that was not going to work anyway, you thought that the slave masters could be reasoned with, which is not turning out that way."
"The slave masters do not want to lose what they have. I was trying to use that to our advantage."
"And our queen in control will lead to them losing their possessions in one way or another," Missandei reminded him. "Meanwhile, they have a ruler who promises to return everything as it was, so who do you think they will side with?"
Tyrion had not received this amount of disapproval ever since he silenced his father in the privy, but even he was starting to really let others' words get to him. His conduct with the whole debacle with the Yi-Tish merchanters, who accused him of attacking their vessels and declaring a conflict between Meereen and the Golden Empire, lent credence to the thought that he was not performing well. But no one else will do it, so I have to.
"And now, besides the slave masters, we have thousands of Volantene tigers coming to attack us because of our queen," Daario added. "I assume that you have some answer to that threat, like the other times."
Tyrion ran his hands through his hair in stress, resisting the urge to drink and get scoffed at. Just then, the door to the hall opened and in came Ser Barristan, who was limping but very much alive.
"Ser Barristan," Tyrion addressed him while Grey Worm stood at attention.
"What's this I hear? The slave masters, tigers, Aegon and Rhaenys, the Golden Company, all coming to attack us?" He limped closer to Tyrion and stared down at him. "I wonder how you got into control of Meereen in the first place with so much problems brewing."
Tyrion groaned. "Enough criticizing my actions, unless you have better alternatives."
"I believe it's time that we have the freedmen earn their freedom," Barristan stated, causing surprise among the rest.
"By earning, you mean…" Daario knew the answer, but he wanted Barristan to finish it.
"Any man who is able to fight should take up arms. Let no one rest until the threats against us are gone." Seeing no one answering, Barristan balked. "You have a better idea to solve our first issue, which is manpower?"
Tyrion sighed before the rest nodded their agreement. "All right, Ser Barristan."
"And we should also contact the Dothraki, the others in the plains. Tell them that their khaleesi is in trouble."
"That's easier said than done. And good luck getting the Dothraki to do anything," Daario grumbled.
"We have to try. Right now, numbers are our problem. Once we can solve that, we can strategize, properly defend, and attack."
The old man still has it, Tyrion thought. And it was the best idea out of a series of bad ones, so all of them had no choice.
Then, a servant rushed into the throne hall. "Ships, nearing the dock!"
"Who? Are they hostile?" Daario was about to unsheathe his blade.
"I don't know. One of them said that they come from Volantis, the Red Temple."
That was quick, Tyrion noted. Immediately, all of them rushed towards the docks to see who had come. He recognized the Volantene sails, but he knew that they weren't tigers, or they would have just attacked. The dock men were already tying down the first of several, while some of the Unsullied and Second Sons were on alert.
But Tyrion and Barristan were stunned when they saw a large grey wolf come down the plank. Glancing at each other, there was only one type of creature that could grow to such size and only one family who had it on their sigil. Their suspicions were confirmed when they saw a brown-haired man emerge, the ancestral sword Ice strapped to his back and eyes carrying the weight of experience and trauma. "Robb Stark?" Tyrion and Barristan were beyond shocked that he was alive.
Robb stopped just in front of them, surveying both Tyrion and Barristan and glancing at Grey Worm, Daario, and Missandei. "I never thought to see the both of you here," he started with.
"Many had heard you died at the Red Wedding," Tyrion was there when Joffrey celebrated it.
"I wish I did, but we all have our parts to accomplish," Robb responded before looking at Ser Barristan. "It is good to see you again, Ser Barristan."
"Likewise." The old knight did not have any ill will towards Ned Stark or his family. "Forgive me, but I am just as surprised as Lord Imp in your survival."
"We shall speak on that later. As of right now, I need accommodations and food for over eight thousand souls, many of them armed and the rest of them red priestesses." A Yi-Tish woman of the red faith came close behind Robb.
"Eight thousand armed men?" Tyrion asked.
"Aye. The Company of the Rose and the Wolf Pack, all assembled in Volantis and sailed here with the help of Jaenyra Vhassar."
That must explain why they were able to sail here unimpeded. The Vhassar name was well-respected, even though they were aligned with the elephants, and the tigers would not stop one with their name from carrying out trade, or so it would appear from the ships looked.
"Come on, Lord Stark. We shall see where you can contribute and would like to hear your advice on the matters of war," Ser Barristan led Robb and Grey Wind further onto the dock towards Meereen itself while introducing him to Daario, Grey Worm, and Missaendei. From what it looked, Robb and Daario didn't seem to take well to each other. As expected, Tyrion nodded.
With the arrival of Robb Stark and his eight thousand sellswords, he now had more options to choose from, while he might have to explain his presence when Daenerys returns. Where are you, Your Grace? We need you. He was doing a terrible job at ruling and he needed her back, for all would be doomed if she didn't return in time.
A/N: Arya's song is Radwimp's "Grand Escape." And I had to include that scene with Gendry :)
Jon finally has hugged Daenerys and they are off to a great start.
As I said, I have based Khiara on Wu Zetian, who was more than willing to kill children to gain power.
And I wanted to show that Tyrion is not the politician he thinks he is, and his idea with negotiating with the slave masters was never going to work. And now, Robb shows up to hopefully shore up Meereen just long enough for Daenerys to return.
I hope this was good!
