Chapter 9:

Author's Notes: Another one! I took time out of studying to get this chapter up lol. Thanks again to everyone reading and reviewing. I hope I can keep you interested until the end. Enjoy!

Spencer watched warily as Ashley rode a little in front of her. Once Ser Jorah had told her of the Khaleesi's request Spencer had been frightened at first, wondering if this was to be her last day on the earth. However, once she had stood in front of Ashley, her fear had disappeared as Ashley had smiled with peace and a little happiness. Spencer hadn't forgotten what she had seen that night on the ship but decided not to say anything that could endanger her. Ashley was the Khaleesi after all and she could do as she pleased. Spencer's wishes, as a handmaid, had no bearing on Ashley and that is how Spencer decided it would remain. She listened as Ashley spoke to the slave girl again to make the trade for the Unsullied. Spencer didn't know what to make of them, the Unsullied, but she felt as though Ashley knew what needed to be done and nothing would deter her from making things happen for her.

"All?" The slave girl sounded wary. "Your Grace, did this one's worthless ears mishear you?"

"Your ears heard true," said Ashley, "I want to buy them all. Tell the Good Masters, if you will." She had chosen a Qartheen gown today. The deep violet silk brought out the purple of her eyes, hidden most of the time. The cut of it bared a little of her left breast, something Spencer had to keep reminding herself not to stare at. While the Good Masters of Astapor conferred among themselves in low voices, Ashley sipped tart persimmon wine from a tall silver flute. Spencer could not quite make out what they were saying, but she could hear the greed.

Ashley let them argue, sipping the tart persimmon wine and trying to keep her face blank and ignorant. Spencer could see past the expression. She knew that Ashley needed all and would pay whatever price needed to have all the Unsullied in her army. The city had a hundred slave traders, but the eight before them were the greatest. It was Kraznys, who Spencer had come to hate, who finally announced their decision. "Tell her that the eight thousands she shall have, if her gold proves sufficient. And the six centuries, if she wishes. Tell her to come back in a year, and we will sell her another two thousand."

"In a year I shall be in Westeros," said Ashley when she had heard the translation. "My need is now. The Unsullied are well trained, but even so, many will fall in battle. I shall need the boys as replacements to take up swords as they drop." She put her wine aside and leaned toward the slave girl. "Tell the Good Masters that I will want even the little ones."

The girl told them. The answer was still no.

Ashley frowned in annoyance. "Very well. Tell them I will pay double, so long as I get them all."

"Double?" The fat one in the gold fringe all but drooled.

"This little whore is a fool, truly," said Krazyns mo Nakloz. "Ask her for triple, I say. She is desperate enough to pay. Ask for ten times the price for every slave, yes."

"Your pretty crown might buy another century," said the fat one in Valyrian. "Your crown of the three dragons."

Ashley waited for the translation. "My crown is not for sale. Nor will I enslave my people, nor sell their goods and horses. But my ships you can have. Three good ships should be worth more than a few paltry eunuchs."

The fat Grazdan turned to the others. They conferred in low voices again. "Two of the thousands," the one with the spiked beard said when he turned back. "It is too much but the Good Masters are being generous and your need is great."

"Give me all," she said, "and you may have a dragon."

There was the sound of indrawn breath from Jhiqui who standing beside Spencer. Kraznys smiled at his fellows. "Did I not tell you? Anything, she would give us."

Spencer stared in shocked disbelief. To this day she would never know what had possessed her then. She went on one knee before Ashley. "No. Your grace, I beg you, win your throne with dragons, not slaves. You must not do this thing -"

Ashley turned to her, a cold gleam in her eye. "You must not presume to instruct me. Ser Jorah, remove her from my presence."

Mormont grabbed Spencer roughly, giving her a telling look, and marched her back to her position.

The oldest Grazdan stirred in his seat, and his pearls clacked together softly. "A dragon of our choice," he said in a thin, hard voice. "The black one is largest and healthiest."

"His name is Drogon." She nodded

"All your goods, save your crown and your queenly raiment, which we will allow you to keep. The three ships, and Drogon."

"Done," she said, in the Common Tongue.

"Done," the old Grazdan answered in his thick Valyrian.

"The Unsullied will learn your savage tongue quick enough," added Kraznys mo Nakloz, when all the arrangements had been made, "but until such time you will need a slave to speak to them. Take this one as our gift to you, a token of a bargain well struck."

"I shall," said Ashley.

The slave girl rendered his words to her, and hers to him. If she had feelings about being given for a token, she took care not to let them show.

Once they had left the terrace, Ashley faced Spencer, who was fuming silently near the rest of the handmaids. "Spencer, ride with me. I wish to talk to you." Rakharo helped Ashley into the litter and she waited for Spencer to come in.

When Spencer was seated in Ashley's litter she continued to face the floor. Ashley watched her silently before speaking. "Spencer," she said, "I enjoy your company and listening to what you have to say. You should never be afraid to speak your mind with me…when we are alone. But never question me in front of strangers. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Spencer answered quietly.

"I am not a child. I am a queen," she told her. "I am also your friend."

"Can I speak freely?" Spencer asked and continued when Ashley nodded. "Even queens can err Your Grace." At Ashley's look, Spencer corrected herself. "Ashley, I apologise. The Astapori have cheated you. A dragon is worth more than any army and they are like your children. Why would you do this?"

"Because you are my friend and I gave you permission to speak freely I will answer your question as far as I choose. Yes, I know those men have cheated me but this trade is not over." Ashley reached over and placed her hand on Spencer's hand. "I have not forsaken them for power," she finished sincerely. "With that display I think you've given Drogon even more reason to like you." Ashley stated as she smiled at Spencer.

"Forgive me for my outburst Ashley."

"It had already been forgotten." The two smiled at each other before Ashley continued. "I need to speak to the slave girl. Can you bring her here?"

"Yes, Your…Ashley."

"And we shall talk later. Once we reach the ships," Ashley stated.

Spencer smiled again as she left the litter to find the girl who had just joined them. She did not know what Ashley was thinking but now more than ever she knew that Ashley would never part with her dragons, something Spencer was grateful for as she loved the dragons dearly, almost as much as they loved her.

Ashley studied the slave girl sitting meekly in her litter. "Do you have a name, or must you draw a new one every day from some barrel?"

"That is only for Unsullied," the girl said. Then she realized the question had been asked in High Valyrian. Her eyes went wide. "Oh."

"Your name is Oh?"

"No. Your Grace, forgive this one her outburst. Your slave's name is Missandei, but…"

"Missandei is no longer a slave. I free you from this instant. If you stay with me you will serve as one of my handmaids," she said as they set off. "I shall keep you by my side to speak for me as you spoke for Kraznys. But you may leave my service whenever you choose, if you have father or mother you would sooner return to."

"This one will stay," the girl said. "This one…I…there is no place for me to go. This…I will serve you gladly."

"I can give you freedom, but not safety," Ashley warned. "I have a world to cross and wars to fight. You may go hungry. You may grow sick. You may be killed."

"Valar morghulis," said Missandei, in High Valyrian.

"All men must die," Ashley agreed, "but not for a long while, we may pray. One last thing. You seem to care for these Unsullied. Why is that?"

"This one does not…I...Your Grace…"

"Tell me."

The girl lowered her eyes. "Three of them were my brothers once, Your Grace."

Then I hope your brothers are as brave and clever as you. Ashley leaned back into her pillow, and let the litter bear her onward, back to Balerion to take their rest.

Groleo had argued with the trade of ships until Ashley had reminded him who his queen was. The anger at the demands she had had to give into burned her fear away, for a few hours at least. Afterwards, she called her bloodriders and Ser Jorah to her cabin. They were the only ones she truly trusted in her army.

She meant to sleep afterwards, but an hour of restless tossing in the stuffy confines of the cabin soon convinced her that was hopeless. She moved around the ship, in search of Spencer and found her once again on the deck, embracing the cool air from the sea. She had told Ser Jorah to remain behind when he had begun to follow her. He is never far. I do not love him though.

"Khaleesi. You ought to be asleep. You will need your sleep for tomorrow," Spencer said as she felt Ashley step in beside her.

"Do you remember the story of Eroeh I told you about?" Ashley asked her.

"The Lhazareen girl?"

"They were raping her, but I stopped them and took her under my protection. Only when Drogo was dead, Mago took her back, used her again, and killed her. The others aid it was her fate."

"I remember," Spencer said.

"I was alone for a long time before all of this Spencer. All alone but for my brother. I was such a small scared thing. Nicholas should have protected me, but instead he hurt me and scared me worse. He shouldn't have done that. He wasn't just my brother, he was my king. Why do the gods make kings and queens, if not to protect the ones who can't protect themselves?"

"Some kings make themselves. Robert did. Aiden now has."

"He is no true king," Ashley said scornfully. "He does no justice. Justice…that's what kings are for."

Spencer did not answer. She faced Ashley, wondering what was going through her mind at this point. She continued to watch her, waiting for a sign of what to say or do next.

"Am I doing the right thing Spencer?" Ashley finally asked. "Look at Eroeh. I thought I had saved her, given her a better life. And yet, she suffered the same fate I had tried to protect her from."

"Don't place that blame on yourself." Spencer answered quickly. "You did what you thought was right at the time. You could not have known that Mago and the others would turn on you after Drogo's death. You could not have known that they would take her either. So you cannot place that on yourself."

"Sometimes I wonder if this is the right path for me," Ashley sighed. "All I bring is blood and destruction, nothing good. Is it all worth it in the end?"

"Listen Ashley, I saw what bad kings can do to a land. You know my story. I have seen Westeros now and it needs to change. Aiden and the Lannisters are letting it rot in corruption and greed. You are the only one who can change that."

"Once those in Westeros hear of my coming they will rally against me. You might end up facing people you grew up with your whole life Spencer. Will you still support me then? When you're forced to kill them or watch them die, for me."

Spencer paused at that. The possibility had entered her mind and she knew the day would come when it would happen. She just prayed that when that day would come she could somehow save her family from death. "All I know is that it is time for change. You have chosen your path and I have chosen mine. We just have to believe that the consequences will be worth all the bloodshed."

Ashley faced the sea before turning to face Spencer again. "Thank you."

"You can always talk to me Ash." Spencer flushed at her mistake. "Forgive me, I meant Ashley."

"Ash is fine. My mother used to call me that," Ashley replied wistfully. She sent a small smile Spencer's way before continuing. "This is why I insisted you join me. I can always rely on you to speak freely and honestly with me."

I truly am sorry for lying to you Ash, Spencer thought painfully. "I'm glad I could be of service."

They continued to gaze at the sea and sky until exhaustion finally came over them. They headed to their various cabins but not before smiling at each other, waiting impatiently for the next day so they could see each other again.

All of the trade goods had been placed in their respective piles the next day. There was nothing left to discuss and the Unsullied had been prepared, ready for Ashley to take on. Her Dothkari had mounted their horses once more, and Ashley said, "This was all we could carry. The rest awaits you on the ships. And you have the ships themselves. So all that remains is…"

"…the dragon," finished the Grazdan with the spiked beard, who spoke the Common Tongue so thickly.

Spencer unfastened one end of the chain, and handed it down to her. She looked up to see Ashley giving her a small smirk. What are you thinking Ashley? When Ashley gave a yank, the black dragon raised his head, hissing, and unfolded wings of night and scarlet. Kraznys mo Nakloz smiled broadly as their shadow fell across him.

Ashley handed him the end of Drogon's chain and he presented her with the whip. "The harpy's fingers," Kraznys named the whip. Ashley turned the whip in her hand. Such a light thing, to bear such weight. " Is it done then? Do they belong to me?"

"It is done," he agreed, giving the chain a sharp pull to bring Drogon down from the litter.

Ashley mounted her silver. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest. Was this what my brother, Rhaegar, would have done? She stood in her stirrups and raised the whip above her head for all the Unsullied to see. "IT IS DONE!" she cried at the top of her lungs. "YOU ARE MINE!" She gave the mare heels and galloped along the first rank."YOU ARE THE DRAGON'S NOW! YOU ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR! IT IS DONE! IT IS DONE!"

She glimpsed old Grazdan turn his grey head sharply. He hears me speak Valyrian. The other slavers were not listening. They crowded around Kraznys and the dragon, shouting advice. Though the Astapori yanked, Drogon would not budge off the litter. Smoke rose from his open jaws, and his long neck curled and straightened as he snapped at the slaver's face.

It is time to cross the Trident, Ashley thought, as she wheeled her silver and rode back. Her bloodriders moved in close around her. She turned to Spencer. "Climb onto the horse beside you and stay near me." Spencer mounted her assigned horse with confusion showing on her face. Ashley faced her handmaids as well. "Stay near me all of you. Stay inside the circle of bloodriders." She then turned to the slaver. "You are in difficulty."

"He will not come," Kraznys said.

"There is a reason. A dragon is no slave." And Ashley swept the lash down as hard as she could across the slaver's face. Kraznys screamed and staggered back. The blood running down his cheeks into his perfumed beard. "Drogon," she sang out loudly, sweetly, all her fear forgotten. "Dracarys."

The black dragon spread his wings and roared.

A swirling dark flame took Kraznys full in the face. His eyes melted and the oil in his hair and beard burst into fire. For an instant the slaver wore a burning crown twice as tall as his head. Then the Plaza of Punishment blew apart in blood and chaos. The Good Masters were shrieking, stumbling and shoving each other aside in their haste to escape the chaos. Drogon flew almost lazily at Kraznys and gave the slaver another taste of fire, as Irri and Jhiqui unchained Viserion and Rhaegal. Suddenly there were three dragons in the air. When Ashley turned to look, a third of Astapor's proud demon-horned warriors were fighting to stay atop of their terrified horses, and another third were fleeing in a blaze of shiny copper. One man kept his saddle long enough to draw a sword, but Spencer's whip coiled around his neck and cut off his shout. Another lost his hand to Rakharo's sword. Aggo sat calmly notching arrows to his bowstring and sending them into the crowd. Strong Belwas had his sword out as well, and he spun it as he charged.

"Spears!" Ashley heard one Astapori shout. It was Grazdan, old Grazdan in his tokar heavy with pearls. "Unsullied! Defend us, stop them, defend your masters! Spears! Swords!"

When Rakharo put an arrow through his mouth, the slaves holding his sedan chair broke and ran, dumping him unceremoniously on the ground. The old man crawled to the first rank of eunuchs, his blood pooling beneath him. The Unsullied did not so much as look down to watch him die. Rank on rank, they stood.

And did not move. The gods have heard my prayer, Ashley mused.

"Unsullied!" Ashley galloped before them. Spencer watched as her dark braid flew behind her, her bell chiming with every stride. "Slay the Good Masters, slay the soldiers, slay every man who wears a tokar or holds a whip, but harm no children under twelve and strike the chains off every slave you see." She raised the harpy's fingers in the air…and then she flung the whip aside. She glanced at Spencer, who seemed to be watching in awe, thanked her silently, before facing the Unsullied again. "Freedom!" she sang out. "Dracarys! Dracarys!"

"Dracarys!" they shouted back, the sweetest word she'd ever heard. "Dracarys! Dracarys!" And all around them slavers ran and sobbed and begged and died, and the dusty air was filled with spears and fire.

Ha! I hadn't realized how much I had written until I was done. Sorry (cringe) but I hope you understand why I couldn't cut out anything and I didn't want to leave you hanging:)

Quick shout out to some reviewers:

Palexiot: Thanks for the heads up. I got that fixed:)

drizzle180: Glad you get it.

suspenceme: You really make me want to continue so thank you for that.

Devourprozak: I had to look up what visceral meant lol! But thanks anyways and no, Ashley doesn't have kids. I hope I'll be able to clear that up for you if I haven't already

Movies7Too: The books are by George R.R. Martin, the series is called 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and I've taken different bits from the books available so far.

lalalalee: Glad I'm back too;)

: 1) Ashley didn't kill her husband, I'll explain that later on…hopefully. 2) They started off 16 (Chapter 2) but time does go by in the story so they might be older now:)

Thanks to vfx for always reviewing and to Muy-Paisa and Coachkimm for reading even though it's still confusing for you. Oh and Muy-Paisa I hope I can answer your question soon.