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Chapter 7 Part 1
=Sith=
291 AC
Spear of the Sun
Slaver's Bay
The voyage to Slaver's Bay lasted longer than it could have. Prince Oberyn Martell traveled on one of Dorne's finest warships, escorted by a squadron of fine war galleys, making them far faster than any merchantman prowling the seas. Nevertheless, bad weather forced them to take a detour to Lys, which everyone on board enjoyed. Oberyn had no complaints during the week he spent there sampling what the infamous pillow houses had to offer. His only regret was that Elaria wasn't with him… that wasn't entirely true. Because of Viserys Targaryen's stunts and Doran's orders, Oberyn already missed the birth of his youngest daughter. When all was said and done, ships weren't a good place for very pregnant women. Oberyn's real regret was that he wasn't there to deliver his newest daughter and ensure his Paramour was all right. Consequently, the Prince spent most of the voyage eager for it to end so he could return home.
At least Daemon was always present to distract the Red Viper with spars and other fun activities.
The storms that pushed them to Lys were not a unique experience on their way to Astapor. The Dornish squadron reached Volantis without accident and enjoyed another week while the ships resupplied and the crew rested. After that, the gods decided to be less than cooperative. They prudently avoided the Smoking Sea, swinging south of the ruined Valyrian Peninsula. Storms ravaging the Gulf of Grief pushed them to New Ghis, where the Dornish had to spend nearly a month until their ships could be repaired.
Oberyn could keenly remember their arrival at the docks. Iron legionaries kept a large crowd at bay, gawking at a war galley proudly bearing a painfully familiar banner.
At New Ghis, of all places, Oberyn saw a banner with a three-headed dragon flying proudly for the first part in nearly eight years. The Prince was the first of his compatriots to jump off their ship on the docks and demand answers about the Targaryens.
As it turned out, their detour was a golden opportunity to learn more about the Sorcerer Prince, as people called Viserys over here. Immediately it became clear that the Ghiscari weren't thrilled that a dragon nested in Slaver's Bay. Oberyn could hear the gathered crows grumble at the Targaryen banner, and he had to remind himself of the animosity between Old Valyria and the Ghiscari Empire. New Ghis styled itself Old Ghiscar reborn, so it made sense they wouldn't be thrilled at Viserys taking one of the nearby Salver Cities.
Ulwyck Uller, Elaria's uncle, and Daemon hurried to join Oberyn, followed by a group of Dornish spearmen. Meanwhile, the Captain got the attention of the port authorities and began negotiating repairs and resupply for the squadron. The Prince's rank and status as an official representative of Dorne earned him a visit to the Ghiscari court. Unitil, the news of his presence could filter through to the Empress of New Ghis. Oberyn mingled with the crowds at the docks and then hit a few pillow houses. For once, he was more eager to gather information than to partake in the pleasures of the flesh. Still, doing both was more than feasible, not to mention fun.
What Oberyn learned was both helpful and not because, unsurprisingly, there were many conflicting rumors.
"Prince Viserys used foul magic to take control of the Unsullied and conquer Astapor!"
"The Valyrian bastard slaughtered all the Good Masters before exiling their families after robbing them blind!"
"Viserys was a wise and merciful conqueror who allowed the Good Masters to leave with their lives safe for a few foolish enough to offend his little sister, the Princess Daenerys! Those who did so died struck down by terrible magic!"
One thing was sure: the more Oberyn learned of his quarry, the more eager he was to meet the young conqueror. Daeron, the Young Dragon, was about the same age when he conquered Dorne, only to die out of arrogance and underestimating the Dornish. It was going to be interesting to see what Viserys was made of.
Days later, Oberyn, Daemon, and Ulwyck had the grand 'privilege' of an audience in the Empres's court. Legion commanders and Ghiscari nobles stood behind the Harpy Throne while courtiers lined up the walls in the audience chamber. Columns shaped like Harpies gilded with brass and gold held the ceiling and terraces where higher-ranked nobles looked down upon their lessers.
Oberyn could vaguely recall the colors of Ghiscari houses from the small archipelago holding New Ghis. Most of those were in place of honor behind the Empress or in the galleries above. Lesser nobles lined the walls, often standing in the shadows cast between the columns – those were the Ghiscari with holdings on the mainland, where no large cities existed since the Valyrians brought low the old Ghiscari Empire. That was ironic in the Prince's mind because if it wasn't for the nobles and merchants operating on the mainland, New Ghis would be a pale shadow of the grandeur he now experienced.
The islands by themselves simply couldn't support the military and trade power that made New Ghis and its Empress the premier power between Volantis and Qarth. That was especially important because the Red Waste and the Giscar mountains shielded the Ghiscari holdings on the mainland from Dothraki raids, allowing them to prosper in peace ever since the Doom.
"Presenting Pink Grace Liqaqi Gellhi of the Astrapori Temple of the Graces," the seneschal announced. "Envoy of Sorcerer Prince Viserys Targaryen, First of His Name, Ruling Prince of Astapor!"
A hush fell upon the court. The Empress leaned forward, and even with the dark veil hiding her face, it was clear she was curious to see and hear what the envoy had to say.
"Your Imperial Majesty," the Pink Grace bowed deeply as protocol demanded. "I am heartened to be in your radiant presence. I am Pink Grace Liqaqi Gellhi, bringing your Radiance good tidings from Astapor!"
Oberyn noticed how a group of nobles stirred at the introduction, and he couldn't miss how some of them flinched every time someone announced the Priestess' name. Were they distant relatives? The Prince needed a few moments to recall that it was customary in this part of Essos for young noble girls to be given to the local Temple of the Graces.
"A Valyrian dared claim a Ghiscari City," The Empress's voice struck like a whip. "You will explain your master's actions, Priestess! The days of the Valyrian Freehold are over. There are no more Dragonlords!"
"Your Radiance, that is precisely why my Prince sent me here," The Pink Grace offered another deep bow. "Prince Viserys has neither the desire nor the intent to wage war in Essos. The reason he took Astapor is simple – the foolishness of the Good Masters made it the easiest and simplest way for him to gain a trustworthy army in our Unsullied. My Prince's intent and ambitions lie in Westeros. He is eager to restore the Targaryen Dynasty on the Iron Throne forged by his forebearers. Astapor's distance from Westeros is a shield against the blades and armies of the Usurper Robert Baratheon and his lapdogs. If left in peace, my Prince aims to prepare for wars of restoration in Westeros. Astapor will be a distant safe port for commerce once the Targaryens recover their ancestral throne. My Prince's only desire in Slaver's Bay and beyond in Essos is the opportunity to trade freely."
That proclamation got everyone murmuring. Overyn couldn't contain his grin. Perhaps Viserys was precisely what he needed to avenge Elia and her children!
"The Good Masters you brought in exile might beg to differ, Pink Grace," The Empress countered.
"My Prince's goals mean that he can't be seen as abetting slavery in a city he holds, Imperial Majesty. We are all aware of how the Westerosi Barbarians view the ancient trade," the Priestess sounded profoundly apologetic. "The best my Prince can offer is that visiting dignitaries and traders can retain their slaves while doing their business in Astapor. However, Prince Viserys can't be seen in allowing the selling or buying of flesh in any territory he controls."
"Barbarians," the Empress scoffed, and her court conveniently tittered at her half-hearted jape.
Oberyn's smile grew wider. Viserys was proving himself not a complete fool. There was no way in the Seven Hells that Dorne could be seen aiding a slaver to ascend the Iron Throne, not even to avenge Elia! Aiding and abetting slavery was one of the few things she would never forgive to see those who murdered her and her children pay for their transgressions.
"We've heard your Prince's words, Pink Grace. You are granted all privileges worthy of an honored diplomatic envoy. We will discuss your Prince's actions and intents before deciding how to proceed," The Empress decreed.
At the very least, Viserys bought himself time before New Ghis moved against him. It remained to be seen if the young Prince could put this boon to good use.
=Sith=
A week later, Oberyn attended the royal court for a second time. By then, he learned of all rumors concerning Viserys, even as they grew wilder by the day. He even managed to meet the Pink Grace, though sadly, she proved resistant to his charms.
The woman either knew nothing else or was devoted to the Targaryen Prince because no matter who inquired or how they did it, she kept repeating the same narrative. Viserys was only interested in a future war in Westeros. He knew that trying to fight slavery as an institution would be madness, and he only outlawed it in Astapor due to how the Westerosi perceived it, etc…
Frankly, if it wasn't for the pillow houses and amusing new outlandish rumors, Oberyn would have grown bored weeks ago.
The high point of their stopover at New Ghis was the Empress making up her mind about Astapor.
"Ping Grace, we Ghiscari are old and wise people," the Empress announced, to sage nods from her courtiers. "Going to war for war's sake would be foolish. We pride ourselves on our Iron Legions, which are made of proud Ghiscari citizens. Wasting their lives without a good reason is not something we desire. We have decided to allow your Prince to prove his words true. However, there will be consequences due to his actions against the old trade. Your Prince's actions might be understandable in light of his barbaric Westerosi heritage. That makes the disruption of the old trade and potential loss of revenue no less real. Any trade between New Ghis merchant houses and Astapor will come with increased markup and taxation. Any noble and merchant houses that suffered the seizure of property or loss of life when your liege took Astapor are hereby free to seek further restitution beyond the blood price offered by your Prince, envoy Liqaqi Gellhi. They are free to demand a blood price they deem fit for the offense and refuse to trade with Astapor under your Prince's control. They have my leave to support any enemies your Prince's actions earned him or will earn him in the future if that is what their honor demands."
At that proclamation, Oberyn's estimate of the Empress's cunning, or at least that of her advisors, rose significantly higher. She just announced that New Ghis might finance a war against Viserys while shielding itself with a cloak of neutrality. Viserys would invite retaliation by New Ghis' full might if he retaliated. This way, the Empress and her cronies were free to make the Targaryens' lives much harder while avoiding an open war against a powerful sorcerer. If Viserys proved himself more dangerous and capable than anticipated, the Empress would happily sacrifice some minor noble and merchant houses to avoid a potentially ruinous conflict.
Essos was in for very interesting times, Oberyn decided. He couldn't possibly wait for the ship's repairs to conclude so he could finally reach Astapor and meet Viserys!
=Sith=
Chapter 7 Part 2
=Sith=
291 AC
Astapor
When the Dornish squadron approached Astapor early in the afternoon, Oberyn was on the prowl, keeping his eyes wide open. He could see trade ships escorted by war galleys bearing banners from Elyria, Tolos, and Yunkai. However, there was no trace of Meereenese vessels. A handful of New Ghis merchantmen were in port – likely carrying a delegation from the Empress and Ghiscari merchants to discuss trade deals and blood price. If New Ghis played the diplomatic game well enough, they could either win very lucrative deals with Astapor or have an excellent reason to be hostile to Viserys for not paying sufficient recompense.
The Prince of Dorne saw three squadrons bearing the Targaryen banner out in the bay, clearly training. More crimson three-headed dragons on black flew above the harbor and the walls above it. The last time Oberyn visited Astapor was as a youth while adventuring across Essos. Even back then, it was clear that the harpies on top of many pyramids were gilded in bronze, some even in gold. Viserys had no use for such displays, for there were construction crews all over those statues visible from the bay, removing the metal and tearing down the harpies themselves. As they got closer, Oberyn saw that the Prince was putting some of that material to good use to repair the walls overlooking the harbor. If he was a betting man, which he was, then the Red Viper would happily bet a lot that the outer city walls would be in a far better condition than he remembered them.
A squadron of Targaryen warships deployed near the harbor to protect the docks suddenly moved, propelled by oars. Those ships moved to intercept the Dornish vessels, which made Oberyn nod in approval.
The Captain came to stand beside his prince after shouting orders for the ships to halt.
"Prince Oberyn, I am pretty sure that the squadrons in the bay signaled those ships and lookouts on the walls with flags," the experienced seaman pointed out.
"Is that good security for a port?" Oberyn inquired. While he knew his way around ships enough not to be utterly useless in a pinch, the Prince wasn't a sailor, much less a ship Captain with all that entailed.
"This isn't something you would see outside of a war footing. At best, there are anti-piracy patrols, lookouts on walls, and outlying keeps might provide a warning. Keeping warships constantly at sea to patrol for a possible enemy is not great for morale or the ships themselves. Doing so tends to get expensive. Keels foul up; everything gets strained at sea much faster than at the dock. You need to balance keeping the ships seaworthy and in good condition and maintaining a trained crew with high morale for when you need them. That is why some warships are always used as traders or escorts that carry some precious cargo and passengers, while others are in port for maintenance and repairs," the Captain explained. "Flags are the best way to communicate between ships as long as every Captain in question has a fareye," judging by the tone, every Captain worth their salt would have a pristine fareye they took better care of than their cocks.
Oberyn looked at the coast around Astapor. A few keeps or guard towers around it would spot an approaching fleet that didn't try to go through deep sea. The Prince knew that navigation away from the coasts was dangerous at the best times.
A Summer Islander was in charge of the Targaryen warship that closed up with the Spear of the Sun. He had tattoos that marked him as a slave and fading scars from a slave collar around his neck.
"Welcome to the Principality of Astapor, strangers! What brings you here? I am Captain Bholos Rasa at your service." The dark-skinned man offered a polite bow and kept carefully examining the Dornis ship.
"We are escorting Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne, leading a delegation of envoys here to meet Prince Viserys Targaryen!" The Captain proclaimed.
"We must inspect your ships before granting you permission to dock. With you being Westerosi, I trust you don't have slaves to declare?"
"Slaves? We heard that slavery was illegal here?" Oberyn narrowed his eyes at the Summer Islander.
"That has been the case since Prince Viserys freed us all. However, we need to trade with the other cities in Essos," Captain Rasa grimaced. "That means traders can bring in slaves as part of their crews. The same goes for envoys and visitors and their staff. However, buying or selling people within our borders is illegal. The same goes for enslaving people, obviously." It was clear the Captain wasn't exactly thrilled at the situation, but sadly, it made sense.
Viserys was a practical man or had level-headed advisors to whom he listened. Perhaps both. That made him a better potential ally, yet at the same time, it meant he would likely be harder to manipulate. Frankly, Oberyn didn't care one way or another as long as he got to avenge his sister and her children. The political details were for Doran to worry about!
Oberyn and his companions got to observe the inspection and liked what they saw. As far as they could tell, it was all professionally carried out. Captain Rasa's sailors were all polite and well-armed. Many of them carried themselves as veteran seamen, while others were obviously new and undergoing training. However, even the latter group clearly knew their way around a ship and how to conduct an inspection competently, which was a bit of a confusing contradiction.
There were new seamen among the Dornish crews. Oberyn got to see how they found their sea legs and slowly but surely became more and more competent. However, for most, the voyage to date wasn't enough to give them the confidence and competence displayed by the Targaryen sailors. There was something he wasn't seeing, Oberyn decided and smiled. They hadn't docked yet, and despite that, Aastapor under the Targaryens kept growing and becoming more and more interesting!
They got to dock at sunset, just as the evening tide rose, allowing heavily loaded merchant vessels to easily sail to the docks or leave them. Torches and braziers lit up the harbor and many pyramids, throwing flickering lights everywhere. Unsullied Centuries and City Guards patrolled the harbor. Oberyn could see ballistas and catapults under construction on top of warehouses and the walls above the docks. It was clear that Viserys was taking precautions against a possible seaborne invasion. When the siege engines were complete, they could make the harbor a death trap for any invading force, especially if there were a few thousand Unsullied in place to pin down the invaders.
The Red Viper approved and was very interested in figuring out what other surprises his distant kin have in place for uninvited guests, for the welcome here was positively Dornish!
"I am pretty sure I saw piles of stones up on the warehouse roofs," Daemon noted.
Oberyn squinted at the twilight. Due to the flickering flames illuminating the area, he wasn't sure what else was on top of the buildings across the harbor.
"It makes sense," Ulwyck agreed. "They're turning this place into a deathtrap. "It reminds me of home!" After all, it wasn't just luck that brought Meraxes down at Hellholt. The Ulliers might be mad, but that only meant they always went overboard in turning their ancestral lands into as much of a deathtrap as possible. During Aegon's Conquest, no keep was arguably better prepared to fend off a dragon assault.
A local official, backed by a group of City Guard in light armor with Targaryen livery proudly carried on their chests, was at the dock, waiting for them.
"Prince Oberyn, this is an unexpected surprise," the local smiled thinly at him after Daemon introduced their party. "The last Prince I welcomed on this very dock conquered Astapor. I hope you hold no such aspirations for your sake, Your Grace."
"And if I do?" The Red Viper simply couldn't help himself.
"Then I will recommend you make sure your affairs are in order. Your reputation might precede you, Your Grace, but you are no Sorcerer Warlord, unlike our esteemed Prince Viserys."
The City Guards all nodded at the official's words and stared suspiciously at Oberyn. It was clear they were loyal to Viserys. A closer glance revealed that they were all liberated slaves. While they didn't carry themselves like experienced killers, it was clear they weren't rabble. It was noticeable to Oberyn's experienced eye that these people hadn't been simply handled weapons recently and called to serve with only a few weeks of basic training like most Westerosi levies. Were they Fighting Pit slaves who now worked as guards? That might explain it, though these people didn't look like that kind of seasoned killers. This was yet another little mystery Oberyn was eager to explore!
"I will do my utmost to behave myself. I didn't travel all the way from Sunspear to cause too much trouble," Oberyn grinned. "I am here to meet my distant kin. We have vengeance against Usurpers to discuss."