The Tartered Dragon - Aegon, Son of Baelon

by mootjeman7

An man from our world is reborn in the world of ASOIAF and decides to make the best out of it through adventure yet it never is that easy, even for a third prince. OC-SI - Overlaps with HOTD.

30. Chapter 28

romanomichael391 - Viserys summoning Daemon doesn't necessarily mean that he's going to send Daemon after Aegon! Regarding Corlys, to be honest, I doubt he's too interested in it. Same with the majority of the Lords. What benefit do they really gain from it? Especially since by the time they hear about it, the liberation may well and truly be over!

Tony McNucklz - Taking Volantis - and by proxy Mantarys - is too costly and most definitely would cause greater casualties on his men, something he definitely does not want to happen, of course. Myr is still on the hit list though as the campaign continues on, how that hit comes may change. Aegon tends to be more flexible when the cost is greater than the reward.

coldblue2015 -

1) All men must die... ;)))))))). But no, he won't have the Jon Snow resurrection hax performed on him.

2) Unlikely that an alliance will form with the cousin via Saera. Mostly because he does not know the man and he barely knows Saera. To get into an alliance, you must have a basis of trust. Aegon has none of it with them. In terms of enemy...it will depend on them, if they are at all involved with the Red Priests.

3) You'll have to find out!

ImbaMLG - Probably around CH35 mark, I think.

4 - Ah :( Yes, it wasn't fun to write (or to put myself in their shoes). I am glad you liked the rest though!

Kdotdareal222 - Not even Daemon could do that to his own son whom he likes quite a bit.

Trado - Aegon's relationship with his nephews and nieces will be an interesting development haha. Admiration? Or dislike inherited from the older Targs? Emulation or not? Curious, ain't it! And yes, the grievances the slaves have will be plenty. Will be up to the Regency Councils to assert control. A test, if you like. and no, the Celtigars don't know Aethan is helping Aegon.

Pope-HNDRXX - An Elamaerys Bank will definitely happen. Same with the currency. It basically needs to happen with so much gold lmao. Partnering with Aegon will depend on the defrosting between Viserys and Aegon though. RE: NEXT ASOIAF story...it will be likely set during the Long Night Era. Which will be years later, I reckon. After that, probably a story during the Rhoynar-Valyria wars. The weirwood seed is still a plot.

Everyone else, thank you for your reviews and comments, I always read them even if I don't respond to them. As always, please enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think.

Note: If you would like to read ahead, the next three chapters after this chapter are available on P. .^T.^R.^E.^O.^N./ Boombox117

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Mid to Late 112 AC – Lys

Johanna Swann POV

"Do you know the position you have put me in?!" Johanna's voice rang with fury as her face contorted terribly at what she just had to listen to, the chill that crawled up her spine rapidly losing its coldness.

She stared at the glass candle with a silent rage brewing within, a rage that was akin to thunder to the lightning of betrayal she felt at how she had the wool pulled over her eyes.

He never intended to attack Myr.

Slaver's Bay had always been his destination and she – and everyone else – were naught but pawns to his subterfuge.

"You've jeopardised everything with this deception!" All of her preparations, all of the pieces moved and removed, all of it, all of it was now on the precipice of falling into ruin. "Why?" she demanded as she stood up, the scraping of the chair beneath sounding shrill and sharp.

"I have jeopardised nothing, Johanna." Said Prince Aegon, a cold voice behind a cold glass candle. "Your plans for Free Lys will still work despite the…changed circumstances."

Her face twisted into a bitter scowl as she fumed silently, her eyes shining with violence as she stared at the glass candle.

A soft shuffle, barely audible, forced her eyes to jump towards that direction and she saw Ritte hard and grim-faced meeting her gaze.

Ritte shook her head minutely and the movement sobered her up.

They both knew that they couldn't afford to alienate Prince Aegon, not at this moment in time. Yes, they could begin to take control of Lys now, but afterwards?

All alone, surrounded by hostile cities who'd sack their city? Kill them all?

Yet…

"I have built everything around Myr falling." She said, falling into her well-practiced composure, her voice carrying a calm that she did not truly feel. "These changed circumstances do not allow for Lys' long term survival."

Volantis, Tyrosh and now Myr, all of whom were fully strengthened.

The fall of Myr, or at the very least, the intense weakening of Myr, and the subsequent fracturing of the Triarchy would ensure that Lys, Free Lys, would have the breathing room it needed to truly secure itself, especially if Aegon were to succeed at bringing Myr low.

Tyrosh, in the face of two of its allies now gone, would have not have been able to formulate a response against Free Lys and a Myr in chaos, and, she thought to herself, the possibility of slaves rebelling within Tyrosh was there too to halt their aggressiveness before they thought themselves secured.

The only problem they'd have to deal with, in this scenario, would have been Volantis who, despite still being ruled by the Elephants and wary of any conflict ever since the Battle of the Borderland, would be hard-pressed to resist the opportunity that was now open to them.

Of course, they'd too have the possibility of slave rebellion but Volantis was…Volantis. A city despite being outnumbered by slaves five to one, almost as bad as much of Slaver's Bay, still has the strength in the cities surrounding her.

Volantis and its vassal cities could quell any kind of slave rebellion quickly and turn her eyes towards Lys but she'd expected, by then, she'd have the tools and means to get Aegon to agree with a deal that see Lys in an alliance with Aegon and his people.

An alliance that'd make Volantis halt with any kinds of aggressive moves.

But now…

All of that was up in smoke.

All because Aegon decided to attack Slaver's Bay and without even letting her know, where any aid would take a moon to two moons sailing which was, almost certainly, too late.

She breathed through her nose at the trouble she faced.

Myr would remain powerful. Tyrosh would not be finding itself in a quandary of indecision and infighting…

And Volantis…

And even if she took Lys, it would not be bloodless, or a perfect rebellion either.

Yes, they'd wrestled control over much of Lys and its economy which had been hastened even more so with her control over the Rogares and the Bank, and yes, they removed enough obstacles amongst the noble families and merchants to get their sons aligned with her, but it was not enough to ensure complete victory.

Not without blood.

And not only that, only six of the eleven Lysene Magisters that made up the High Council were present in Lys in this moment in time, and soon enough would leave for Tyrosh to meet with the rest of the High Council to discuss the Stepstones.

The most prominent captains too, of merchant ships and the Lysene fleet, were largely out her control, and by proxy their families since they were often members of families whose heads were Lysene magisters, and she has had little room to change that, lest her enemies think her less of a power hungry whore afraid of becoming a slave again and instead into a real, dangerous threat.

The deaths of heads of families had largely been orchestrated in different stages, over time and in sharp successions, starting with her rise to power with the pillowhouses, enemies – often pushed into – made the first move against her, a good portion of the deaths of the most secured heads of families having happened during her conflict with the usurping Rogares, but it was now almost impossible to orchestrate 'natural' deaths or rivals attacking one another.

The next few deaths would have to happen in quick succession, blatantly, in the open, and they were ready to trigger that event.

And they'd need to trigger it soon.

Her people were getting impatient and impatient allies were dangerous allies.

They were ready for the rebellion and they were waiting on her to give the signal…to say the words.

"Your plan will still work despite the intactness of Myr." Came Aegon's voice, forcing her return her furious glare at the glass candle. She was half a mind tossing the damned thing out of the balcony.

'The plan will work, yes, but only for the short term!' she fumed silently. His conquest of Slaver's Bay would do little to ensure that her enemies, Free Lys' enemies, wouldn't sail up and try and destroy her dream.

"Wait for another three moons" Aegon says and she balls up her fists. 'I don't have three weeks, let alone three moons. It has be now or I lose control…or worse, the merchant families and the nobility will catch on' she thought worriedly, fretfully.

She catches Ritte's look and sees her expression darken and she understood that Ritte also came to that assessment.

"I cannot wait that long. The rebellion will not be able to wait that long." She denies, a note of bitterness creeping up in her voice.

'He's ruined everything…he betrayed me' she thought to herself. After everything, after all the faith she had in him…he betrayed her.

'He used me' she thought to herself, the touch of bitterness grown.

She hated this feeling. This feeling of betrayal. These feelings of helplessness, of doubt, of weakness. She thought she had got rid of them.

She fought back the sting of emotions as harshly and cruelly as possible and she closed her eyes momentarily as she silently took in a deep breathe.

Moments later, she opened her eyes. "Prince Aegon."

She met Ritte's gaze who only nodded to her. Aegon was proven himself to be unreliable. She wouldn't cut off contact nor would she torch the bridge, not when she likely knew she'd still need his aid but…

She couldn't depend on it and she'd do her damnedest not to put herself in such a position again. Yet, she thought bitterly, she knew that it would likely only be a matter of time before she and Lys needed his aid against their enemies.

It stung her badly that she couldn't depend on him to do as he promised.

She shook her head. She didn't have time to stew on this. She needed to think of ways, ways without Aegon, to keep the wolves at bay after the rebellion was over.

And fast.

"It seems we are at an impasse neither of us can move beyond. I can no longer wait and you can no longer provide the aid that Lys could use now that your interest lay elsewhere. As such, let us call this meeting to an end so we can de-"

"Johanna." Aegon's interruption was harsh, colder than she'd ever heard his voice be. "Are we allies?" Aegon did not let her answer. "Have we signed a treaty to mark our alliance? Have I ever even promised you that I am to do more than provide you an opportunity to stage your rebellion?"

Johanna lost it. "You were meant to attack Myr!" she breathed through her nose as she forced herself to calm down and she walked over towards the table and clutched at the ends of it. "You were meant to open up a distraction that would allow Lys space to breathe."

He was meant to attack Myr, he even wr-

Her eyes widened and for a brief moment she felt breathless. "'War is coming soon, prepare yourself'" she said to herself, recalling what she read in Aegon's letter.

"You misdirected me."

"Johanna, you are disappointing me." Aegon said, a cold harshness in his voice, and she bristled at the words. "When you decided to shape your own plan for Lys, you became more than simply Johanna Swann, the former enslaved."

"You became Johanna Swann, leader of a rebellion, with designs to form your own government led by you, a government that will hold no ties to me and mine."

"No ties." The words left her mouth before she could stop them.

"Our personal relationship does not guarantee Lys is to be an ally of Elamaerys."

Her hands clenched. "I see what this is."

This was his punishment for altering the deal she'd made with him all those years ago, when he'd came to her to propose a pathway to see Lys freed, all but twisting the taking of Lys for her and her people's purposes.

She thought that he understood but it seemed she was only let to believe so…he had not forgiven her for it, she knew it now. She bitterly thought that he played her well…too well. No, she thought angrily, she let herself be played.

She eyed Ritte who had formed a stormy and troubled look on her face.

Johanna let sentimentality rule her when it came to Aegon and she was going to pay for it…dearly.

"Do you?" she hated the way Aegon's voice sounded almost contemptuously derisive. "I do not think that you do, Johanna." Aegon's breathing was rough as he paused in speaking for a moment.

"Your plan for Free Lys' survival hinged on the need of my humbling of Myr. Your plan depends that I risk my life for you and your cause, that I abandon Liberty Bay at a time that I cannot so that I come and ensure Lys' freedom against her enemies, that I risk the lives of my men, for you and yours…and in return…for what?"

Johanna set her jaw for a moment, angry at what he was saying, angry that though he had a point, she believed it was a pretence to extract a toll from her. She glanced at Ritte who stared unblinkingly at the glass candle, wearing an harsh expression.

Johanna took a moment to calm herself, pushing down the surprise and feelings of losing control as much as she could. Finally, she answered. "In return for the end of enslavement and indignity in Lys" she said, her voice calm but there was a hint of accusation there as she spoke words he once shared to her.

Johanna clenched her hands on the edge of the table, her voice lowering as she spoke further. "In return to see a Lys that stands truly free and is for the better for its people…or was that a lie that you told me all those years ago?"

A long moment of silence followed, a silence that was broken when Aegon spoke.

"For as good as you have gotten using your words, even words of mine own against me, I have fulfilled my promises to you…and Lys…or will you deny you stand on the precipice of freeing Lys, brought about with my aid and my support?"

Johanna clenched her jaw lightly though finally after a few moments, she spoke up, moving away from admitting what both knew could not be denied.

"You never showed want of anything." Johanna only said as she took a seat in her chair, her eyes latched on the glass candle.

Not once in their correspondence had they talked about recompense or alliance, at least an alliance beyond whatever they had between each other. A grave error, she realised now. With how close she was to the edge, he had all the advantage in this.

"You had nothing I wanted." 'Had nothing' she picked up on before Aegon continued to speak, solidifying her thoughts on what this was. "Nor did you come to me wanting anything ever since you decided to go on your own way. I accepted that, I respected that, but it seems like you have no respect for what that means."

She silently scoffed. "I do not know what you are referring to."

"You know full well what I mean, Johanna." Came Aegon's sharp voice.

He continued. "This association of ours does not and, for years, has not extended beyond information in exchange for information and that is exactly what I offered you with the warning in return for your offered information about Myr's defences."

Johanna did not respond. It was true…their…relationship had turned into one of mutual benefit, where they offered information in exchange for information.

"And you were completely content with that arrangement when you believed that my grievances would see Myr, and likely Tyrosh, reduced into chaos, leaving Lys able to recover from the rebellion and remain firmly under your control with not even Volantis to contend with, with mine own presence on the Heel of Essos."

There was an angry rumble in Aegon's voice as he'd spoken, an anger that turned sharper as he spoke further. "You were more than content to see me and my men fight on your behalf without offering aid or support despite having every opportunity to do so and now, when my actions throw all of your long-lain plans into the precipice of ash, do you believe yourself to have cause to find fault in this arrangement of ours." Aegon's voice continued to rise but Johanna couldn't keep her silence any more.

"Had you asked for my aid, I would have given it!" Johanna said furiously. "Had you indicated in any way, at any time you had need of me and mine, I would have done what I could to provide it!"

"And I have offered you mine own aid, without cost or demand, at a time that I can provide it!" Aegon immediately responded sharply to her.

"It's not enough!" Johanna shouted as she speared upward, her hands clawing at the table. Her voice lowered. "I…we do not have three moons to wait. We are working in matters of weeks not moons." Johanna closed her eyes as she sat back down in her chair, the weight of it all weighing her down.

"You should have told me your true plans." Johanna said tiredly.

"Had it been only you, I might have." Aegon said after a moment. "Had you been only Johanna Swann, the woman that I am fond of, and not also Johanna Swann, leader to a rebellion, I would have." Aegon sighed quietly.

She understood what that meant. Had I still been working under him, under his direction, as his vassal, he would have been obligated to keep her informed.

Aegon spoke further. "As it is, I could not trust that the secret would have made it to ears that it did not belong to. Merchants, men who worked for me for years, men who made their fortunes through me, spoke of my plans of Myr likely at the first opportunity they could."

Johanna remembered that getting reports that a few merchants had come to speak with several magisters in private. It hadn't taken long for her to find out who they were…and what they'd spoken of.

"Very well." Johanna said, putting away the tiresome conversation that would lead nowhere but pointless posturing. "What is it that you want? You said 'You had nothing I wanted'. Obviously that changed." Johanna said as she caressed the top of her fingers with thumb and she spared a look at Ritte who bore a blank expression on her face, something she only really did when she felt anxious.

As much as they hated it presently, they knew they had to secure some pact with Aegon with how soon the rebellion was to take place.

Everything was almost in motion, toes on the edges of the cliff and waiting for the slightly of breeze to push off into the roaring seas below.

Her people, her supporters, her enemies…waiting was too risky.

Too many people had an understanding that something was soon going to happen, and too many people had a vested interest in what was to come.

No, things were too much on a knife's edge.

There was a long moment of silence before Aegon answered her and when he did, he did not touch on what he wanted from her.

"The situation in Mereen is volatile presently." Aegon finally said, a brief pause in his speaking before he continued explaining his present situation. "It has delayed our march to Tolos which will take mayhaps one and a half moon of hard marching to get there. Then there is also Elyria to consider, who, along with New Ghis, and likely even Mantarys and Volantis, will not remain idle."

She pushed away the irritation she felt at his sidestepping of his demands and instead, she leaned forward, her hands covering her mouth, a small frown forming on her face. She had little ways of knowledge when it came to the affairs of war, but even she could tell that the timings of her rebellion and Aegon's campaign was…problematic.

"You want to secure Tolos before you…fly to Lys?" it was obviously the only way he could make it to Lys in any reasonable time to aid her. Whether or not it'd be on time…

"Yes. When we take Tolos, only Elyria stands in our way and we can blockade them until my return. Taking Tolos makes it substantially easier to blocking off any advancing army from the west." Aegon said calmly.

"That is why you must hold Lys for three moons, Johanna. Hold Lys for three moons and that will buy me the time I need to take Tolos and close off access to Liberty Bay by land."

She looks to Ritte for a moment before she looks away towards the balcony and out of it towards the horizon.

Three moons.

Three moons…

From Lys to Volantis, it was a ten day and night journey, if the winds were favourable. Likely, it'll be two and ten days.

From Lys to Tyrosh, it was about eight day sail. To Myr, two and ten days.

She was aware there was a fleet stationed by Tyrosh, so, in the shortest period, it could be that an enemy fleet could be making sail to Lys in less than twenty days.

She was not a fool to think that ships wouldn't be escaping before she took control over the Lysene ports.

Yes, they were amongst the primary targets in her bid to take control over the city, and the captains were amongst the first to be killed in the rebellion, but she expected that she'd not be able to completely stop ships from departing.

Even if she increased the number of 'guards' around her warehouses, and had more of the customs officers and slaves who were indebted to her and her supporters actively aid in the assassinations, she did not think she could succeed.

Not fully.

So, in less then twenty days, at worst, and, at best, a moon a few more days, she could have an enemy fleet at her ports.

Presently, she had about three thousand soldiers of all kinds of variety, located across Lys, directly under her control, with about four times that freedmen and slaves located across Lys she could depend on, even if only a few of the freedmen knew of her plans for Lys. And, across all of hers and her elevated freedmen's businesses, they had thousands' more slaves that could be depended on to react positively to the rebellion.

Could she hold Lys with these men? Could she hold Lys for that long with untrained and unblooded soldiers?

Finally, she shakes her head as she speaks. "It wouldn't work." It was a bitter thing to say but she had to realistic. The Lysene Magisters that remained on Tyrosh would be wroth and do everything in their power to stir Tyrosh and Myr to act.

Not that Tyrosh or Myr would have much need to. Not when they could take Lys as prize to be shared amongst themselves…at first at least.

"It could be less than a moon before we have an enemy fleet at our shores." An enemy fleet that could potentially boast a sizable portion of the Triarchy's might.

"I will not be able to impound every ship from leaving or destroy them. The ports are simply too busy for that with the war with the Stepstones long over. Even in the best and fortunate circumstance, we will have only two moons before the Triarchy arrives." She breathed in and out heavily but silently before she spoke again "I think it will be more like a moon and some days instead of two full moons."

It did not leave her much time to come up with a workable plan that didn't revolve needing to depend on Aegon, she grimly thought to herself.

"You will have more time than that." Aegon said. "Mayhaps more if we are…fortunate with events once news of my war in the Bay reaches Tyroshi and Myrrish ports in the weeks to come." Aegon said and she narrowed her eyes.

"How?" she asks.

Aegon then tells her about the Braavosi envoy he'd sent – and its success though he did not tell her how he knew but she could guess that his envoy too had a glass candle – and she got an understanding of how far reaching his intents were with Slaver's Bay.

She hated that his intentions were proving to be more genuine than not when it came to Slaver's Bay.

"They'll be alarmed and on guard." She determines after a moment of silence when Aegon had finished explaining.

"Yes. Your assessment of an enemy fleet arriving a moon after your rebellion starts is highly unlikely. They will need time to muster a substantial force for the invasion. Even if their fleets are ready to go, they will need an army of thousands."

"Tyrosh has an army." Johanna pointed out. Yes, the bulk of the army was slave soldiers, but it was an army of thousands nonetheless.

"If Lys falls to what Tyrosh can muster in a few days' time, then there is no hope you can hold Lys, Johanna, with or without my aid." Aegon said harshly, crudely, and she bit on her tongue at the rebuke. She heard Ritte stand up and she quickly raised her hand without looking at her testy Freefolk friend.

"No. Tyrosh cannot muster up the army they need to take even a weakened Lys and they will know it. Even with the militarisation of Tyrosh as a consequence of being part of the Triarchy and the war in the Stepstones, they are still an incredibly mercantile city who widely still look unfavourably at the profession of arms."

"Nor should they be keen to be without sufficient protection once rumours starts hitting Tyrosh of liberation of slaves in Slaver's Bay." Aegon paused for a moment before he spoke again. "You should send ships now with trusted men you can spare to Tyrosh and spread the news of my actions in Slaver's Bay and sow discord."

"In case the news doesn't arrive on time." She considered and she turned her eyes to Ritte who nodded at her silently. How much it would help…she didn't know but perhaps it would help. They also had some amount of business in Tyrosh too, shops and a few warehouses, and they could use the people to spread the news as well.

"In case the news doesn't arrive on time." Aegon agreed. "The more effective the dissemination of information is, the better the effect on the Tyroshi, slave and slaver alike, will be though I cannot say how much of an effect it will truly have."

"It will be done." Johanna said, a note of grimness in her voice.

It was better than nothing. She knew a few loyal men who'd die for her that she could use for this. Men who didn't know about the rebellion so that they couldn't divulge under torture should they find themselves caught.

For the first time, she regretted not involving herself more in Tyrosh when it came to inciting slave rebellion but she quickly destroyed that thought.

Tyrosh was too far away for her to have any measure of control and more importantly, she would not have been able to assess the personalities and characters of those who she may have had to rely on.

Aegon continued. "It is more likely they will coordinate with Myr instead of acting alone on the rebellion on Lys and that will…take time. Especially if they use what is immediately available…the sellswords companies."

"And they are scattered beyond the walls of Myr" she assessed. It would take days, if not a week or more, for the sellswords companies to arrive at the ports of Myr.

"Precisely. And if the Myrrish know that I am not coming for them, not soon at least, they will be inclined to reassign them for the invasion of Lys."

Johanna remained quiet for some time as she considered it all.

"And Volantis?" Johanna asked after a long moment of silence. "You think they'll be too concerned with you and your army in their east?"

"Yes." Aegon said in answer. "They would be fools to divert ships and men to Lys when there is a large host on their doorsteps, just over a moon's march away."

She saw the reasoning there. It also helped that Volantis was ruled by the Elephants who were more interested in trade and keeping what they had than expansion.

Yes, Volantis would only be a distant concern for now.

Stil…

"It's all too speculative." Johanna said with a displeased note in her voice. It depended on a great many things to go right for them just so that they'd be able to buy more time. Johanna took a seat and placed her hands in crested her hands in front of her. It was dangerous, so dangerous, this need to rely on chance.

But there was little else to be done…

"Aye." Aegon agreed. "Yet it is the circumstances that we find ourselves in."

Johanna did not miss the collectiveness in which he spoke. Still, it did little to assuage her of the 'circumstances' she and her people were…circumstances that he had put her in and she did her best to restrain the slew of bitter and angry thoughts that flashed in her mind though never passed through her lips.

"How many people can you depend on?" Aegon asked after a moment of silence.

"Two and ten thousand men and women that are fully under my control, a quarter of them soldiers. And more can be relied upon to act in the way I wish them to." Johanna reluctantly admitted.

"Enough to initiate the rebellion and given that you are not worried about taking hold of Lys, enough to hold Lys, at least in the short term." Aegon determined and she could hear the unsaid words 'but not enough to withstand invasion'.

If…if she had mayhaps four to eight moons after the rebellion, that could change. Her most loyal could train the men they needed.

As it was, it was already going to be difficult trying to take the rest of the island and its sister islands with her focus so split in ensuring that the city was fully defensible against enemy fleets.

"And you will not wait…no, you plainly cannot wait…likely because of circumstances moving out of your control…allies…supporters…" Aegon continued, his voice trailing off and Johanna clenched her jaw slightly at his words.

"Your situation is precarious. Too precarious."

Johanna glared daggers at the glass candle. 'Yes, yes it Seven-Damned was'. Taking Lys was never the issue…it was holding it long term. Even with Myr falling, she'd needed to use Aegon, whose reputation and whose actions would weight heavily, to protect Lys just long enough that it could withstand against enemies from without.

"Very well." Aegon said and there was a note of finality. "Send one of your people to the porcelain wares shop by the Temple of Yndros" She eyed Ritte who nodded to her that she'd see it done.

Aegon had kept a permanent presence in Lys in the form of several shops that sold the wares of his people, remaining even though most of their people departed for Elamaerys.

Aegon continued. "Ask for a man named Kordyn and once you meet with him, tell him these words. 'Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite'" Aegon had said each word deliberately slowly. She didn't know what the words meant though the foreign words sounded similar to Common.

She saw Ritte trying out the words before she nodded and Johanna gave her assent for the woman to leave to get this man.

"You have a plan." She only stated as she stared at the glass candle.

Aegon surprised her by sighed deeply before he spoke. "Several I will share once Kordyn has arrived."

Johanna set her jaw but she said nothing knowing that he was unlikely to tell her until this man had arrived.

The wait had been arduous, neither of them speaking, but finally, the doors opened to let in an aged and thin greying man, who looked to be in his forties or fifties. He had summer-touched skin, oft found in Lys, but his hair was a mop of brown and greys. He looked Westerosi, she thought.

The man came to a stop in the middle of her solar. "My Prince." The man named Kordyn said with a reverence in his voice that almost startled her.

"Kordyn. It is good to hear your voice."

"It is also good to your voice, my Prince." Kordyn said with a grateful smile.

"As much as I would wish to hear of how the rest of our people in the wares shops are doing, I'm afraid we are pressed for time."

"Of course my Prince."

"Johanna, what is to be discussed is only for three sets of ears." Aegon said to her and Johanna resisted the urge to react visibly. Instead, she bade her guards and Ritte, who looked displeased, to leave.

She eyed this Kordyn.

With him here, she couldn't exactly pretend that Ritte wasn't here in the solar.

"We're alone, my Prince." Kordyn answered when the doors to the solar closed.

"Good. Kordyn, we have need of the barrels."

She took in the surprised look of the man in front of her.

"Barrels?" Johanna asked, a demand in her voice. "Barrels of what?"

"I may be able to help throw Tyrosh into chaos and at the least buy you some more time." Johanna peaked at that before she narrowed her eyes.

"What do you mean with chaos?" Johanna asked, a touch of wariness creeping in.

"I have the means to kill off large parts of the Tyroshi leadership though you will have to arrange for it to happen." Aegon said slowly and then Aegon went on to explain that he had secreted to the wares shop several large barrels brimming with wildyfyre.

"You brought wildfyre to Lys?" Johanna asked aghast before she met the gaze of Kordyn who seemed to be looking at her passively, as he wasn't likely storing something that could blow up half the street in his shop!

She was aware of the rumours, rumours that stemmed all of the way back to the times of the Basilisk Isles cleansing, that wildfyre had been used in war but she'd never really paid much attention to it.

Nor had anyone else, at least not until the Alchemist Guild in Volantis had been destroyed by a disastrous igniting of the dangerous liquid. It only solidified her opinion that the stuff was simply too dangerous to use.

"I did, however, do not be so concerned. The wildfyre we make has been far less volatile than you know it to be." Aegon told her. She stared in disbelief at the glass candle.

"That stuff will more likely burn a whole part of the city just as it did in Volantis!"

"It will not." Aegon's voice was firm. "My alchemists have improved on the alchemy in ways those charlatans in Volantis would never have been able to do." There was an aggravation in his voice that made it clear pushing further on this was…ill advised.

She remained silent for a moment. "How long has it been here?" she asked, though with her eyes set on Kordyn, it was more a question posed the man in front of her.

"Five moons, my Lady. We've had it for five moons." Kordyn answered.

"I had it brought her in case it may be needed in defence of the city." Aegon told her.

'Another thing you should have told me' she thought grimly. She had the impression Aegon had not wished to tell her but the circumstances forced his hand.

Just another example of Johanna being kept in the dark.

'What else is he hiding from me about his doings in Lys?'

It was startlingly clear that Aegon had spent likely years planning all of this out. Slaver's Bay…Myr…now this. And, Johanna thought, she was appearing more and more like a pawn in whatever game he was playing.

Before today, before this meeting, she had thought she understood his motives, his wants. She once thought that Aegon might have had designs on Lys, once it was freed, but after the news of Elamaerys, her understanding had changed that he'd wanted Lys freed and pulled into an alliance of sorts, one that likely would allow him to take in more people from Lys and its surroundings.

She had not been opposed to the latter point, if anything, she truly wanted it.

Allied to a dragonrider would see Lys protected in ways she could not protect it.

But now…

His actions in Slaver's Bay, the so called 'liberation', had her doubt if she wasn't missing something, something important. He's made enough references that he wanted to make the likes of Meereen and others to be truly 'free cities' like Braavos, all but insinuating that he was to relinquish all control, but she wondered if that was truly true…or if there was something else in play.

"You implied that I should arrange for it to happen…how?" Johanna asked.

"You know Tyrosh better than I do, do you not?"

"I do." Johanna confirmed "I also have some…people that may be able to assist there." She kept the wariness and doubt from her voice.

"Good. Then you also should know where to hit to sow fracture in the Tyroshi."

"The Palace of Trade Princes." She remarked. It was where the magisters congregated…and where the High Council took their seats.

As Tyrosh was in the middle of the three Daughters, it was symbolically the ideal location to host the High Council, though, she thought, it was more likely that Tyrosh was an ideal location to invade the Stepstones and to monitor trade traffic through the Stepstones.

"It will be difficult getting inside." Johanna said with a frown.

It was a building as large as any she'd seen in her once trip to the merchant city. It was that it was even more grandiose than the Iron Bank itself and more extravagant than the Prince's Palace in Pentos.

"There is no need to get inside, we will only need a rooftop nearby." Her eyes widened at the coldness in his voice. "The wildfyre is violent enough that it can collapse a building into itself."

Johanna shook her head. "No." Johanna denied. "The Palace of Trade Princes cannot be taken down so easily. It is too large and too open. It takes as much space as the Castle of Storm's End does."

Of course, it was far more palatial than the austereness of Storm's End, with gardens and bathing pools and much more hidden within its marble walls and nestled in its marble pillars.

"We would have to get inside if we are to succeed." Johanna added, slowly warming to the idea as her mind considered it all.

Her eyes widened slightly as she came across a train of thought.

It…it could work.

But she'd have to arrange for the strike to happen right at the moment.

"I may…" Johanna began slowly as her gaze flickered from the glass candle to Kordyn before it settled on the glass candle. "I may be able to get the barrels into the Palace." Johanna breathed in tightly. "However, it will need to be timed precisely when the magisters hold a must attend council…a council that would be held when word of Lys' rebellion reached Tyrosh."

"Where we can be assured all the important men would be where we want them to be." Aegon said after a moment of silence.

"Yes." Johanna said with an absent nod as she thought on it further. She had a few ways to get into the Palace but she thought depending on slaves during a time where suspicion of slaves may be at its highest could be a grave mistake.

She would have to rely on bending and blackmailing Lorassio Dynaar and his family into helping her people get into the Palace. The family of merchants had close ties with a number of the Tyroshi noble families.

"It may not work." Johanna remarked even as she thought on how she could make it work. Even if it did work, it didn't necessarily mean Tyrosh was out…only likely to be delayed in acting against Lys.

"It will have to." Aegon said to her. "It is the best means we have to delay a response to your rebellion." Aegon said with a sigh. "The only other additional means I have presently to buy time…Kordyn, do you have the documents?"

"I do, my Prince." Kordyn confirmed and soon enough she was reading the three documents. They were exactly the same, the three documents, the only difference being the name of the swellsword companies, documents that offered incredibly amounts of coin if they were to switch sides and fight for Aegon.

"They won't breach their contract." Johanna said as she laid down the documents on her table. "They'd never win another contract again once their betrayal was known." Privately, she did think that some would truly entertain the offer. The coin was beyond what sellsword companies were typically bought for.

It seemed Slaver's Bay had been a profitable venture for Aegon…

"I agree." Aegon said and there was a note of grimness. "But it is an option that we can take to entice at least one of the sellsword companies away from Myr. Besides, no sellsword company wishes to fight a war with terrible odds."

"Especially if that enemy has a dragon and is conquering city after city." Johanna said with a dry note before she looked towards the documents, a small gleam entering her eyes. If Aegon's reputation was fearsome enough…

Combined with coin…

Mayhaps…

"I will send people to treat with them."

After she'd taken Lys, of course. That way she wouldn't necessarily have to send her most trusted men to treat with them once the rebellion was won.

"Very well. Kordyn, you and the others are to work with Johanna with this. You may go now. Give our people my warm greetings." She noted the warmness in Aegon's voice as he'd spoken.

"As you command, my Prince." Kordyn said with a bowed head to the glass candle before he turned to leave.

"Will you tell me now what it is that you want for your support?" Johanna immediately asked once the doors to her solar closed.

"I want four things. They are non-negotiable." Aegon said calmly to her and Johanna narrowed her eyes at the demand.

When she said nothing in answer, Aegon continued.

"I want Free Lys, once it exists, to agree to an economic and defensive alliance treaty with Elamaerys that cannot be broken for a century."

"That is not a negotiation point that I can agree with." Johanna said, her eyes on the door to her solar when it opened, letting Ritte into her solar. "The individual terms of the alliance treaty must be debated and individually agreed on. There is also the important point that I will not rule Lys alone."

An elected council would rule Lys, led by a First Magister, borrowing parts of Braavos and of the current Lysene conclave system. The idea proved to be popular amongst her fellow conspirators.

No one wanted a King and she knew that she could keep control over Lys through the electoral system and through popular support from the freed peoples.

Besides, she thought to herself, it was better to 'share' power than it was to keep it solely to herself, reducing the risk of her becoming a target.

That also meant that she couldn't unilaterally agree to any major decisions, even if she was the leader of the rebellion and likely the one to be elected First Magister.

"Of course." Aegon answered easily enough. "However you can guarantee that an alliance will form between Lys and Elamaerys. That is the non-negotiable point. The breadth and scale of the treaty can be negotiated at a later date."

"You really want this treaty." Johanna said with narrowed eyes. She knew why she wasn't opposed to this treaty. It helped guarantee Lys' independence in ways few else could and their independence was untouched.

But Aegon…? She had an idea why he wanted it but she couldn't be sure.

"Elamaerys will benefit to have a Free Lys as a trading partner." Aegon answered her, confirming one point. The defensive alliance however…

She glanced at Ritte for a moment before she looked back at the glass candle.

"I agree to formation of an alliance to be solidified at a later date." Johanna confirmed.

They continued the talks where Aegon outlined his demands to her. The second and third demands were easy to agree to.

The second demand being that Free Lys was to aid in the liberation of slaves located on the Heel of Essos, the Disputed Lands, through providing ships to ferry the slaves out from the Disputed Lands.

She knew that many of the families that'd soon be cast down from Lysene high society had a great deal of estates there where slaves were bred, trained and sold in the many tens of thousands.

She had little means to gain control over them but with Aegon's army, she might be able to…and the people…well, it wasn't particularly hard to figure that they were the ones who interested him in the Disputed Lands in the first place.

The third demand was for Lys for her and her people to begin considering what goods and produce they would want from Liberty Bay and eventually begin trading with the liberated cities when they were able.

Aegon explained that he'd left the cities with much of its wealth consolidated in the Regency Councils, wealth that would be purposed to pivot the economy of the cities into commerce and production of wares and luxuries.

Another easy demand to agree to.

The trouble of changing the ways of Free Lys were aplenty. Lys was a city that sold and depended on pleasure and flesh, and though some of that pleasure would remain, most of it would be gone.

Having Liberty Bay in their trade network was an opportunity that she would foolish to let go of. Lys would always be a port city for merchants and Lys could serve to be a connection between Westeros, Essos...and Elamaerys.

The last demand was the one they spent the most time arguing over.

Aegon wanted a percentage ownership over the Rogare Bank. Even the ridiculous sums he offered had not swayed her.

The Bank was more than a means of wealth…it was control and she knew that Aegon wanted a part of that control.

Only when he explained that he intended to influence the Rogare Bank to increase its influence and investment in Liberty Bay, where he explained Lys could increase its own influence and wealth through investment and ownership of industries in the Liberty Bay cities, did she relent and agree to the twenty percent share in the Rogare Bank.

Finally, it all came to a close when Aegon told her that he'd speak to her through the glass candle every second day at Lysene high noon.

When the light of the glass candle dimmed she leaned back in her chair, a feeling of exhaustion washing over her.

"It's been a long time since I have caught so unawares." Johanna said quietly, bitter, and she heard Ritte walking towards her.

The subterfuge, the misdirection, the forcing of her hand with those demands, knowing that she had no cause or ability to refuse…

"I was right. You should have listened to me." Ritte said with a scowl in her voice and Johanna rolled her eyes as she picked up her and eyed the Free-Folk woman sitting on the edge of the table.

"And do what? Piss him off like you would have done?" Johanna shook her head. "Keeping Lys, and importantly keeping Lys free, was always going to be difficult with the enemies we are surrounded by." Johanna said with a sigh.

None of the Free Cities, bar Braavos but even they would be hard pressed to offer substantial aid, would brook having a slave-free Free City.

It could be moons…or it could be years but eventually…the city would fall to one of the Free Cities…or worse, it'll fall from within.

"And he knew it too." Ritte said with a touch of anger in her voice. "And now he's made us more dependent on him to keep our heads."

"Ritte…" Johanna's voice carried some warning in her voice. She didn't need to hear what she already knew. The situation was what it was.

Ritte scowled before she looked away for a moment. "He will have more demands…he'll ask for more the moment we have need for more of his help." Ritte stated.

Before, she would have said no. But now…?

From a cold perspective, what he asked for was not severe.

It could have been worse, she knew this. But it also showed her that whatever 'fondness' he had for her, it mattered not when it came to advancing his wants.

Wants…wants that were sparingly of his own benefit, she had noticed. Out of all of the demands…only one directly benefited him…the shares of the Rogare Bank.

Slaver's Bay…Lys…the alliances…Elamaerys.

Most of his actions were aimed at benefitting Elamaerys.

She shook her head. "We just have to make sure we're not in a position that we have to ask for more help." Johanna said in answer before she stood up. She would have to think on how to use Aegon and his wants for Elamaerys at a later time.

"Enough for now." Johanna said before she sighed as she stretched. "Those are problems for much later." Johanna's expression hardened as she met Ritte's gaze.

"Send a messenger to Belano and Adaridos." The reaction in Ritte's face was one of expectation…and excitement. "It's time." There was finality in her voice.

A finality that would come to pass in less than a few days' time.

A finality that would see Lys free.

The only question she had…was whether or not she'd be able to keep it that way.

-Break-

Mid to Late 112 AC – Meereen

Two and ten days since the opening of the Gates…

Ser Aethan Celtigar POV

"Why does our Prince have to hold it at the two and thirtieth floor?" Ser Maerro muttered in complaint as he, Ser Galaenys, Sodhabhas Qhaxos and Lutherys Goodwright, admiral of the second fleet, climbed up the wide steps that lead to the Hall, the sounds of their armour clinking clattering against the walls of this absurd building.

Aethan did think Ser Maerro had a point.

They had only had one meeting since they took Meereen and the Prince had oft been away scouting the lands on his dragon in the past week…and he was already disliking having to spend ages climbing up this ridiculous staircase in this ridiculous pyramid.

The size of the staircase, he thought as he eyed the walls that stretched far into the distance, alone was fit enough to house mayhaps several dozen homes alone.

Not even the Pyramids of Yunkai or Astapor were built so absurd…and those pyramids were absurd in their own right given how few of the Ghiscari – free or enslaved – populated those pyramids that were large enough to fit entire towns.

"You can always ask our Prince to hold the meeting somewhere closer to the ground, Maerro." Ser Galaenys snorted before he sneeringly, playfully, said "No doubt our Prince will understand that your greys aren't the only things that showing your age. Riding old Red has been fucking up your hips, ain't it?"

Ser Aethan's lips twitched though Admiral Lutherys hadn't hid his own amusement. Ser Maerro was not exactly young but he was quite a number of years shy of forty still…and amusingly about the same age as Ser Galaenys too.

"Fuck off." Ser Maerro scowled, his slightly reddened face making all the more humorous. "My hips are fine!" Ser Maerro narrowed his eyes at Ser Galaenys.

"And you're one to talk about getting old…or did you not notice that you're getting a step slower in your swings, damn hypocrite?"

"Nought but an injury that'll heal soon enough" Ser Galaenys dismissed with his words and with his gesturing hand.

"Pah! Liar. You got no injury on your sword arm." Ser Maerro returned and the two knights descended into a long bout of bickering that did not stop until they were at the top of the staircase.

The admiral joined in the bickering two thirds of the way up and even he joined in the conversation, here and there, though Sodhabhas was the only one who'd remained silent throughout the way up, oft wearing a lost and somewhat disturbed look on his face.

He wasn't sure what was the cause of it. Was it because of the bodies that had piled up in Meereen? Likely, he'd thought to himself. He remembered that the Summer Islanders hadn't been too pleased to see the deaths in Astapor, the last time he'd seen them truly, this quiet disturbed look seemed more severe.

Aethan grimaced lightly. He understood. Truly, he did. The killing in Meereen had been…obscene though much of it was beyond their control. Their army had kept their discipline and there had been none who had been caught killing women or children. They knew better than to disobey the Prince's orders.

The deaths of the truly innocent was not their fault.

Surely Sodhabhas understood that?

They were let into the Hall by the guards, and, immediately, they were greeted to the sight of grandiosity. One seamless stretch of white marble paved the floor and purple marble walls and high ceiling enclosed it, and, in the very middle of it, there was nought but a singular table that was surrounded by the men already present.

There had been an gilded wooden throne fashioned in the shape of a harpy but that had been carved up and nailed together into the ornate round table in front of him.

One would never think that the gilded wooden table had such origins, such was the expertise in which it had been refashioned.

He turned his eyes towards the men by the table.

Ser Uthrik, Ser Trytas, Lorgan Keller and the three Regency Councillors were still in conversation with Prince Aegon even as they saw them as their party walked in.

The other men in the room included the Unsullied commander Rhaegar who stood by silently not far from the Prince and the other two, Tyqor, the old gladiator who was now the commander of the City-Watch had seemed to talking with Ser Lomerys who both turned to look at their arriving party.

And, as they walked in further into the hall, all of the men moved towards closer to the table that had the map of Slaver's Bay…Liberty Bay, on top of it.

"My Prince" Rang out from their mouths as they bowed their heads to the man and Prince Aegon smiled at them thinly, though it could only be faintly seen through the mass of beard the man had.

Ser Aethan eyed Prince Aegon for a long moment, noticing as he did the rings that surrounded his dissimilar eyes, rings he thought had darkened further still from the morn he saw him yesterday.

"Good, we're all here. We have much to discuss this day." Prince Aegon gestured the men to stand closer to the table.

Ser Aethan glanced at the men and noticed the peaking of interest from Ser Maerro and Ser Galaenys. In the only war-council they had since the taking of Meereen, there had been no conversation of the plans for Tolos and Elyria.

The meeting had been to discuss the means and methods they would take to deal with the stragglers of the nobility and the freedmen, who had managed to band together and go into hiding once they learnt that most freedmen were on the same list of culling as the nobility were during all of the chaos of the city's taking.

Freedmen or wealthy or noble, nearly all had been slaveowner families in this accursed city, much like how it was in the cities of Yunkai and Astapor, the only difference was the number of slaves these people held within their homes.

Five-sixth of the population had been slaves, slaves that been at the mercy of these masters, freedmen and noble alike.

And, even if the freedmen did not own slaves, which was rare given how…cheap the lives of slaves were, they were still part to the abomination of slavery that was written in the bedrock of this city…of this region.

A freedmen only needed to pay recompense for the murder of slaves, for though a freedmen's life was not worth that of the lives of the wealthy families or the Great Masters, it was incalculably more 'worthy' than a life of a slave, no matter how 'valuable' the slave had been to the slaveowner.

And though the majority of the freedmen were little better than the slaves, when it came to wealth and occupation, it was a status that they enjoyed, and, he thought as he remembered the Prince's words 'Division breeds stalemate, and the Masters were excellent in inducing such stalemate in their cities', a status that was exploited by the Ghiscari for it ensured the freedmen would find no common cause with slaves.

And all of this meant that the slaves not only rebelled against the noble families and wealthy slave-owning families, but also against their freedmen masters who may have had them domicile slaves or working their shops.

Unfortunately, some of these rebellions were…less than successful, especially in the manors and districts that lay at the other side of the main gates where the freedmen and the nobility had enough time to act before the men in their army arrived.

Honestly, he was surprised at how long these stragglers had evaded them.

The slavers had always worn tokars.

Unique to each city, of course, but from Astapor to Meereen, the slavers wore some form of tokar to signify their status. Even the freedmen signified their status by simply the kinds of clothing they wore…colourful and garish and oft impractical, oft worn just so as to show that they did not need to labour.

It was an important facet to Ghiscari culture, noble and freedmen alike.

It was also how they identified them…noble and freedmen alike.

With the taking of a city, especially one that you do not intend to sack and see all its people killed, it was important for the army to know whom to kill…and whom to spare.

The slave branding was of course helpful in that but oft times, such markings were hard to see during the fighting and clothing…clothing was not, especially since the slaves rarely were given anything more than dull looking clothing.

Unfortunately, these stragglers had caught on by the time the army had cleansed through most of the city and had taken to hide themselves throughout the more deserted parts of the city…and through the city in general.

But fortunately for them, the slaves they so depended on, they so mistreated, became their ally once they learnt that they were not there to kill them…only their masters.

And so, they enlisted the aid of the former slaves, calling out to them that there were masters that had not yet been killed and that they needed to find them, offering a great deal of reward to the former slaves that brought them or showed them where they were hiding.

In less than three days, the last of the stragglers had been caught, including those who had hidden themselves in secret rooms.

They reaped what they sowed, Aethan mused to himself.

"Tyqor." Prince Aegon called out as he gazed towards to the aged former gladiator. "Have you finalised the selection of the city-guard?"

The grey-haired bulky man stepped forward before spoke. "Yes, my Prince." The aged former gladiator confirmed.

"I have a list of names of almost four thousand men for the city-guard." Tyqor glanced at Rhaegar. "With the two thousand Unsullied to be stationed in the city, six thousand guards would keep the peace when you depart for the other cities."

"How many are you wanting to select from the army?" Ser Galaenys asked gruffly.

The Prince had offered Tyqor to select men from both the Meereenese and from the army itself, a decision that wasn't cherished, to be truthful, yet the commanders of the army understood the reason why.

It was well known that Prince Aegon was determined to see the cities not fall into the depravity in which they had found them, and for that to happen the Regency Council – and every Council after the Regency ends years from now – in every city needed to have authority and the means to ensure they held control over the city.

And ensuring that the Regency Council had thousands of trained men with arms that could be relied upon to execute their authority was one but major way to ensure it.

At least none of their trained Elamaerysian men or bulk of the Unsullied would leave their army.

"Half of the Astaporean and Yunkai'i if the Prince permits it." Tyqor said simply before he continued. "I do not wish to depend greatly on the former slave soldiers of Meereen, not until I have had time to win their loyalties." Tyqor took to look at the Prince.

"You doubt the promise of pay for their service and land in the Khyzai Pass after ten years of service is complete is enough to earn their loyalties?" Ser Lomerys questioned with a raised eyebrow.

It was a good policy Prince Aegon had gotten the Regency Councils of the three cities to agree to and the councillors advertised the benefits of serving. The policy was very similar to the ways the men in the Elamaerysian army were to receive their lands.

Of course, the difference was of course that the lands were a great deal better and the pay was beyond what these men would earn over a thousand lifetimes, though, he mused to himself, the exception being of course the Astaporeans and the Yunkai'i who would earn a small amount for their aid in Yunkai and Meereen.

In any case, for men who earned nothing yet served, it was more than they could have hoped for…for most anyway.

Tyqor frowned lightly. "Land means very little in these parts, Ser Lomerys, especially so when these lands are vulnerable to Dothraki raiders." Tyqor pointed out and Aethan grimaced faintly. Yes…no doubt that was a problem.

"Still, the offer of pay and privileged position in this new Meereen will earn me good favour but only that." Tyqor paused and seemed to roll his jaw for a moment before he continued.

"The problem is that many of them held privileged positions in the city, my Prince, and I am wary to allow them to have the numbers to stage a bid for power."

"So you would rather lump with some treacherous lot to take with us to Tolos and beyond." Ser Galaenys said with a faint scowl though there was little heat in it.

It wouldn't differ all that much from when they had come to incorporate the slave soldiers from Yunkai'i, Astapor and the hinterlands.

"I would not call them treacherous, Ser Galaenys." Tyqor said before his expression shifted slightly. "Merely…opportunistic. In Meereen, it is…it was common for slave soldiers to buy their freedoms after a period of time." Tyqor eyed Ser Galaenys for a long moment before he continued. "And the slave soldiers had known it was possible too, from the moment they were trained to become so."

"And by doing so, creating such an incentive, they helped create a curious means of control of not only over the slave soldiers but by also over their behaviours." Keller said before he paused and eyed Tyqor. "I understand that the soldiers were most keen to show their…commitment to the slavers?" Tyqor nodded.

"Yes…they were." Tyqor frowned darkly as he spoke further. "During my time as gladiator, the slave soldiers were most keen to exact punishment to…rebellious new gladiators…however slight the incident might have been. I expect such behaviour was common across Meereen."

"How many of these slave soldiers survived the purge?" Ser Trytas questioned before he continued. "I know some had fought against us."

"Not many, some three thousand." Keller answered as he eyed Tyqor. "Many of them had fallen during the taking of the city. Probably for the best."

"No doubt." Ser Galaenys said with a dry note in his voice though his face showed little levity. "Can't have the fuckers who sided with the slavers live though it seemed that too many lived anyway." Ser Galaenys finished with a frown.

"No matter." Prince Aegon interjected and they turned to look at the Prince. "We'll split the remaining thousand or so into small units and mix others into the remaining Astaporean and Yunkai'i contingent when we march to Tolos." Prince Aegon then looked to Tyqor.

"Test the Meereenese native soldiers and find out whom you cannot rely on. Use your trusted men to spy on them. Get them drunk, get them talking, I do not care." Prince Aegon stared at Tyqos with a stern look on his face and the Prince spoke further with a hard voice. "I do not want to return to Meereen to find it fallen into chaos…do you understand?"

"Yes, my Prince." Tyqor confirmed as he bowed his head.

"Not that I don't think we can take Tolos and Elyria and whatever else shithole city that is in our path" Ser Galaenys said as he gestured towards the map.

"But losing two thousand men of the army on top of casualties is a loss for the rest of our campaign, especially given the losses we suffered during the fighting here."

Aethan eyed Ser Galaenys. There was one thing that he was not saying, and he knew it to be on purpose. Though casualties were far higher than they were in Yunkai or Astapor combined, the make-up of the casualties greatly differed.

Out of the more than a thousand deaths, only eight and hundred of Elamaerysians had died in the fighting. Out of the one and a half thousand injuries, of varying severities, only a sixth were Elamaerysians.

The Unsullied too suffered such minimal numbers of harm and the two fighting forces were the core of their army. The loss of the Astaporeans and the slave soldiers, through death or through reassignment, was not going to be a major problem for their army.

What would be a problem, Aethan thought as he looked towards the Prince, was lessening of their ability to use former slave soldiers and the Astaporeans as fodder to take up the brunt of the attacks and defences of their enemy.

They'd used them predominantly to take the districts where the majority of the freedmen dwelled and it was these parts of the city that suffered the greatest casualties. In Yunkai, they used them in a similar fashion.

"The fleet can bring some of the Unsullied we left behind in Astapor." Ser Maerro suggested. That was a good suggestion, Aethan thought.

There were some five thousand Unsullied still in Astapor. Most were young yet, not yet seen their six and ten nameday but if he had to put coin on who would win between a slave soldier or an Unsullied, he'd always put coin on the Unsullied.

"Rhaegar." Prince Aegon said as he looked towards the Unsullied commander with a question in his expression.

"They would be ready for duty, Your Grace." Rhaegar said with a monotonous voice though he seemed to pause for a moment before he spoke again. "I would recommend that we only take the eldest ones, Your Grace. Though all Unsullied are ready for duty, some are more than others."

Aethan did not let the surprise show on his face. It seemed as if the Unsullied was showing care for his fellow Unsullied…in his own way.

"Very well." Prince Aegon said with a light nod before he looked towards Lutherys. "I will issue a letter for a ship to take to Ser Daryn. He is to draw volunteers of the eldest Unsullied and only at maximum eight hundred. The rest will still needed as back up to bolster the city's defences."

It didn't surprise Aethan that Prince Aegon would take only so sparingly from the Unsullied.

Astapor held a significant portion of their volunteers and the wealth they'd taken from Yunkai and Astapor…and soon also the wealth of the Meereenese. The bulk of the fleet was stationed there to protect it and Aethan thought that the injured that'd be sent to Astapor were partly sent back to increase the number of Elamaerysians amongst the half a thousand defenders there.

"Yes, my Prince." The admiral agreed.

"And about replacing the rest of the losses" Prince Aegon then continued as he turned to look at Ser Galaenys "We recruit from Meereen." The Prince said before he looked towards the Regency Councillors.

One of them, grey-haired and copper of skin, Hornas he thought his name was, spoke up "There is appetite amongst some of the men to join in the 'crusade of liberation', my Prince, however this is only a small number. Most are content to simply live their lives in their newfound freedom."

"Understandable." Prince Aegon said and for the first time in some time, there was a glint of something that resembled satisfaction and mayhaps joy in his eyes. The Prince continued. "The Astaporeans that joined us were not the norm considering the overly cruel nature of the Masters of that city. We only need a few thousand young men from the populace." Prince Aegon said.

"It will take long enough to train them not to be liabilities." Ser Galaenys warned with a note of displeasure.

"Then you have three quarters of a moon to train them." Prince Aegon said as he turned to look to Ser Galaenys who looked surprised at the words.

"Three quarters of a moon?" Ser Maerro questioned with a small frown. "That is longer than expected, my Prince."

"Meereen is a larger city than both Yunkai and Astapor, by more than twice the numbers of those two cities." Prince Aegon explained before he looked towards the Regency Councillors. "And there still yet work to be done in this city before I can be confident enough the rule of the Regency Council is stable enough."

"We have some ninety administrators amongst us in the city." Hornas said as he gestured towards the other two councillors "However we will need many more to fill positions to make sure the city is governed well and that…that will take time."

The councillor took to look at the Prince for a moment before he looked towards the other men in the room. "In the other cities, the populace of the former slaves was either small enough for the administrators to handle or the populace of the former slave populace was more…tame."

Hornas then went on to explain how the removal of the fast majority of the freedmen population was troubling for the city.

The freedmen populace had formed a core part of the city's economy. From textile production to metal work to butcher shops to shipping, the freedmen filled the small holes in the city's make-up, and though they used slaves for the majority of the physical labour, they were effectively the heart of the city.

A heart that was now removed.

Hornas explained that having the Elamaerysian volunteers, the likes of the blacksmiths, the shipbuilders, even the healers, would aid them greatly in hastening the stabilising of the city in terms of the economy, labour and the duties of the now freed populace.

With so many of the Ghiscari killed, tens of thousands of 'important' men – and much to his distaste, thousands of women and children – the economy of this city was severely destroyed.

The Regency Councillors, he thought as he listened to the various issues the administrators had with the city, wanted to use the army's presence to get men to join the Guilds, the shops such as butchers, leather making and much more back into working order.

Though it wasn't the only reason.

The…chaotic revelry that'd taken place during the taking had been…severe. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the former slaves killed as many of the slavers – and their families – as the army had done.

They were hearing tales of former slaves dragging off women and even children and doing unspeakable things to them. Some had been caught for their crimes, most were likely still yet free…and unlikely to be caught if they were smart.

And so, he thought as he eyed the serious expressions of the councillors, he didn't think they thought themselves ready to take control over the city…and its people.

Meereen was no Yunkai with filled with people trained to be bedslaves, it was a sleeping lion that could be roused into a great fervour like during the Taking, he thought as he remembered the uncountable bodies strewn across the city.

Aethan considered that the large number of guards were in part because of this…to ensure that the city could be controlled should the worst happen.

Still, he didn't think it'd get that bad.

For all of the…revelry that had happened during the taking of the city, the populace had been more or less under control with only minor issues reported.

And, with food continuing to be supplied into the city, he didn't think it'd get to such a situation. Though, he mused as he eyed the councillors, they likely did not see it this way.

Prince Aegon spoke then, catching his and all of the others' attentions. "Meereen also has a small shipbuilding culture, and with the port largely untouched, I am going to set a few of the shipbuilders to task to help get the shipbuilding capabilities of the city up and running." Prince Aegon then gestured towards Velos, the Isle of Cedars.

"There are few native woodlands in these parts however that island is sufficient to fuel shipbuilding for a thousand years." Prince Aegon then looked towards the men as he continued to speak. "The short of it is that I am seeking to install Meereen as the main naval power of this Bay. Slavery will still be a problem for years to come, and I do not doubt that slaver cities in the future will seek to take advantage of this Bay in one way or another. Meereen has the numbers for becoming the primary protector of this Bay. We just have to install the desire within them." Prince Aegon then looked to Tyqor.

"The gladiators of this city are well loved by the people. It would do well if we can enlist their aid in fostering this desire in the people."

Tyqor looked contemplative for a moment before he nodded. "I know several of the gladiators who would be eager to take such a responsibility." It has hard to forget that Tyqor made his fame in this city for many years…and it was through this fame that allowed him to live for as long as he did…living long enough for Ser Uthrik to buy his and a few of the other gladiators' freedoms.

"Good." Prince Aegon said before he looked towards the Regency Councillors. "Use the gladiators but also give them a place within the Council. Their popularity and their presence in the Regency Council will only help you in the eyes of the people." The three councillors nodded their acceptance.

Prince Aegon then turned to Admiral Lutherys "Unfortunately, it will be little aid in the coming year or so. Once we have taken Elyria, we will have take the majority of the patrolling responsibilities for the time being."

"As expected." The admiral said with a nod before he eyed the map. "Establishing Ghozai or Velos as primary naval base would be best considering its central location. When the time comes."

"I agree." Prince Aegon said as he eyed the map though he said little else and after a moment, he looked towards the Regency Councillors and Tyqor. "Your part of this meeting is done. I will speak to you later this day to discuss the recruitment, the city and anything else."

The four men bowed their heads before they departed.

"Three quarters of a moon…" Ser Galaenys spoke up as soon as the doors to the Hall closed. "By the time we arrive at Tolos, the enemy will have had more than three moons to prepare" Ser Galaenys looked towards the admiral "Given that some of the enemy fleet managed to escape" Ser Galaenys then looked towards the Prince again "We may face greater resistance than we want taking the city whole if we delay that long."

"How much greater resistance can they truly bring against us?" Aethan spoke up as he frowned at Ser Galaenys. "Tolos is no different than the three cities, in many ways, they are far less capable of resisting than Meereen had been capable of."

"That may be true, but they will have come to understand that we're holding no restraint against their ruling and free families." Ser Maerro added before he eyed the Prince "We may cause them to be desperate and desperate men are most unpredictable. For all we know, they may try and kill a substantial number of the slave population, in far greater numbers than the Meereenese had done who'd thought to quell their slaves' hearts instead of actively working to destroy them."

"Chances of that are low." Ser Uthrik interjected before he gestured towards the map. "You have seen it. In Astapor. In Yunkai and Meereen. Slaves are the lifesblood of these cities. Effectively, they are living and breathing pieces of wealth to these people. They'd no sooner throw away their gold coins."

"Even a desperate and starving man would sacrifice a case full of gold in exchange for a loaf of bread." Ser Lomerys remarked dryly "Why'd you expect them to hold onto their slaves if they'd be the means that brings about their demise?"

"You're also not considering that they would be aware of our reaction should do cull their slave population." Keller commented as his gaze flickered towards them all. "I doubt they are not aware that committing such actions would not spell doom for them."

"It can't be helped." Prince Aegon interjected as he placed his arms behind his back, his eyes on the map. "Yes, whatever Tolos and Elyria do, the more time we give them, the more ways they behave outside of our expectations." Prince Aegon said, a small crease in his forehead showing as he stared unblinkingly at the map.

"Nonetheless, we have more important things to do presently…such as finishing up business this side of the Bay." Prince Aegon said as he stepped closer to the map and placed a finger east of Meereen.

"You're concerned about the outposts and the towns?" Ser Maerro asked with a mild frown.

Ser Maerro led a charge to take control of the outposts, and, more importantly, the towns and estates that lay in the Khyzai Pass and on the southern side of the Skahazadhan river.

He'd thought they'd fallen into their grasp now.

"I am." Prince Aegon said as he then tapped the stretch of land that lay east of the northern mountains. "Though Ser Maerro and the men removed the previous rulers of these towns and estates and secured the outposts, the farmlands and towns are too vulnerable for my liking." Prince Aegon said as his finger trace further towards the east, towards flatlands and ruined cities.

"The Dothraki." Ser Uthrik remarked. "You're concerned about the Dothraki."

"I am. It is unlikely that Meereen sent a party to meet with the Dothraki to buy their aid but it is possible." Prince Aegon turned to look at Ser Maerro. "I am of the opinion that it is far more possible that the Dothraki will come through other means. Do not take my words for slight or disappointment, Ser Maerro, but I do not believe we managed to prevent any from escaping through the cleansing."

Ser Maerro's expression twisted. "No." Ser Maerro said with some force behind his voice. "There's good chance there have been some that escaped."

"They'd be lackwits to seek succour from the Dothraki barbarians." Ser Lomerys said with some disbelief in his face.

"True but then they might and try buy their lives with information." Ser Uthrik answered before he turned to Prince Aegon. "The longstanding agreements…" Ser Uthrik said slowly before his eyes turned shrewdly. "They are coming to an end with the end of Slaver's Bay, and so does the peace with the Dothraki will come to an end too."

"Longstanding agreements? With Dothraki?" Ser Galaenys asked with a look of confusion.

"Yes." Ser Uthrik said simply before he expanded. "During my time here, I learnt that there is some…understanding between the Dothraki and the Slaver cities. One that ensured that the Dothraki have not attacked in centuries."

Ser Uthrik then further explained about how the Dothraki would bring slaves on the mainland to the Slaver cities through their raids throughout the Dothraki Sea and beyond along with leaving the lands under the control of the Slaver cities be, and in return, the Dothraki would gain coin but, more importantly, supplies.

Food, steel weapons, even garments and dyes, they'd get from the Slaver cities.

"The understanding likely comes as a result of a long period of stalemate after the Doom." Prince Aegon gestured towards the three cities and then to Tolos. "Strong walled coastal cities could get by, for a time, through trading by sea even if the fields were burnt down."

"The slavers probably showered them with gifts to get them to fuck off." Ser Galaenys muttered lowly.

"You're likely not very wrong." Keller said with an amused smile. "The last Dothraki attack on the Slaver cities is reported to have been around eighty years after the Doom, which, incidentally, is also around the time that the Qohor bought off the Dothraki to get them to leave their forests."

"So what you are thinking, my Prince?" Ser Trytas asked before he looked towards the map.

"I want us, specifically you, Ser Maerro and our cavalry, to survey the lands here in detail" Prince Aegon said as he planted a finger just above where the Skahazadhan river branched off, likely one to three leagues above it, which also lay in between stretches of mountains on both sides of it though the southern stretch was less than a third the length of the northern mountains.

"Here." Prince Aegon added, in between a region of flat land west of Hesh, the Lhazarene city, and east of the Khyzai Pass.

"And here." Prince Aegon said as he planted a finger at the end of the eastern south of the Pass in between two mountain ranges.

Aethan was understanding the intent now.

"You want us to scout how defensible these parts are." Ser Galaenys said with understanding.

"They'd be the only ways in and out through land if they are fortified." Ser Trytas said as he rubbed his chin. "And the Dothraki aren't known to pass any body of water that isn't traversable by horse." Ser Trytas eyed Ser Maerro.

"You have seen more of the river than any of us…would placing a fortress there" Ser Trytas gestured to the first location the Prince had pointed out "be helpful or pointless?"

Ser Maerro looked contemplative for a moment before he answered. "I cannot be sure as I did not pass over to the eastern side of the branching river that leads to the Khyzai Pass, but the river and its branch are deep and wide. If it is like that further upstream, then I see no reason why a fortress wouldn't help close up that pass into this side of Liberty Bay." Ser Maerro eyed further south of the map.

"I'm more concerned about this region." Ser Maerro said as he placed his finger to the location west of Hesh. "I do recall seeing a large stretch of flat land in the distance there. I would say it'd be better served to place a fortress here." Ser Maerro said as he placed a finger on the opening that led to the Khyzai Pass.

"You'd leave the Pass to the mercy of the Dothraki then." Ser Lomerys remarked with a raised eyebrow.

"True but the rest of this side of the Bay would be closed to them." Ser Maerro said before he paused "Conventionally anyway." Ser Maerro said with a heavy frown.

Aethan grimaced as he grasped what Ser Maerro was referring to. The Dothraki could choose to scale the mountains but that was a prospect that none of them wanted to truly entertain. Yes, much of the sandstone mountains were far too rugged for the Dothraki to be able to cross with their horses but some parts may be.

None of the hinterlands and farms would be safe in such a circumstance.

And, he thought to himself somewhat grimly, if the Dothraki could scale the mountains, how long before they tried and scaled walls?

Aethan was taken out of his thoughts when Ser Maerro spoke further. "It shall be done, my Prince" Ser Maerro paused for a moment "What will we do after we identify? We won't be able to build anything in the weeks we have."

"No." Prince Aegon agreed. "However, I want to provide the Regency Councillors with detailed maps of those parts…and I want them to keep a close eye on these parts whilst we are gone." Prince Aegon placed his arms behind his back as he continued after he sent a glance to the scholar. "We have means to do so."

"Unfortunately, we have not yet found any candles amongst the treasures taken from the Great Masters." Keller said apologetically. Aethan was amused by it.

There might not be glass candles but there was plenty of Valyrian Steel in the loot.

Four Valyrian steel swords were found in amongst the collections of the Great Masters with other ten other Valyrian Steel weapons in the form of spears with Valyrian Steel spearheads or daggers and dozens of times that in trinkets.

Yes, no glass candles but there were plenty of other Valyrian legacies found in the looting. Curiously, he thought, the Prince had not chosen any of the swords. Yet.

Prince Aegon took away his eyes from the scholar and met the gazes of the men. "So, for now, we will have to rely on the Regency Council to inform us of any incursions. I and Mīsaragorn shall act in the instance Dothraki dare to attack." Prince Aegon said in answer to the question they all likely had in mind.

From Meereen to Tolos, it was more than a moon marching and likely, it'd take longer if they were to take the rest of the settlements that lay on the way there. Should there be Dothraki raiders, they'd not be able to act…only the Prince could.

Prince Aegon made a noise before he looked towards the map with a frown. "Ideally, the councillors will act on my recommendation to build fortresses that can keep out the Dothraki in the years to come."

"Tall ask." Ser Trytas muttered. "Do they even have the people capable of planning the building of such fortresses?"

"Hard to say." Prince Aegon admitted. "They have the skilled men to build but mayhaps not the planning side of it all." Prince Aegon's expression twisted slightly. "It is my hope that the Braavosi can fill the gaps." Prince Aegon shook his head "But I do not know when they are meant to arrive nor if they have sent the right kinds of people in the first delegation."

"If they arrive" muttered Ser Lomerys and Aethan found it hard to disagree with the sentiment. Baerros managed to get word back to Kings Landing so that when Prince Aegon had used the glass candle, he'd been informed of the success of the ploy but…the Braavosi were wanting to be certain that the campaign in the Bay was successful before they sent anyone, according to Baerros.

That meant that it could take upward of a year before the Braavosi held to their word…and even then, there could be many things that could cause them to delay and delay…

Prince Aegon smiled thinly at Ser Lomerys, a glimmer of amusement showing in his eyes. "I doubt they'd be so openly dishonourable, not with how much their commonfolk were clamouring." Prince Aegon said with a shake of the head "Besides, by the time we take Tolos and Elyria, the news of our liberations should be known to much of Essos." 'And Westeros' if they didn't already know, he thought to himself, grimacing ever so slightly.

Prince Aegon had allowed him to learn a few things on the happenings back home…back in Westeros, and so he knew that the King was not pleased at all with his younger brother…nor was he pleased with House Celtigar.

It was a small mercy that King Viserys was a jovial man than a man similar to either of his brothers, Aethan mused silently and grimly as he eyed the Prince who continued to speak on the matters of Braavos.

The topic of his brothers did not come up much during all of his time with the Prince, or with the Princess, but he knew from Bartimos that the relationships between Aegon and his brothers was not a good one.

A rivalry of sorts with Prince Daemon and a later souring of brotherhood with the King following the times of when Princess Gael had gone missing, Bartimos had told him he thought that there was little love between the brothers left.

And yet, he thought to himself, he found it curious that despite their dislike, the three brothers had more in common than any of them might wish to admit.

And, when it came to having mercy for the enemy, Prince Aegon was far more like Prince Daemon than either of them would probably like to admit. Ruthless.

After the conversation on the Braavosi came to an end, the conversation on the army began.

"With the deaths, injuries and the reassignments, our army presently stands at less than thirty thousand." Prince Aegon said with a hard look on his face before his gaze flickered between the men. After his gaze settled on the scholar, the man brought out a document and placed it onto the table.

"The core of our army remains intact with just under a hundred Elamaerysians and two hundred Unsullied losing their lives during the taking of Meereen, leaving with a combined number of just shy of four and twenty thousand capable men."

Aethan was sure that number would have been far higher than the Meereenese slaves not revolted in the fervour that they did. By the time they reached the central parts of the city, the freedmen and the nobles were fighting against both the slaves and the army.

The Prince continued. "It could be a few hundred stronger but the injured shall soon make sail for Astapor."

"So we are certain to send any injured to Astapor?" Ser Trytas asked. "Most of the injuries are sure to heal by the time we have arrived to Tolos." The man remarked.

"Aye." Prince Aegon said with an incline of the head before he looked towards the admiral. "With the losses of three and ten ships and more than three hundred men, I intent to reassign these men to the fleet protecting Astapor."

"The additional manpower would be greatly wanted." Admiral Lutherys said with a grim look "As it is presently, taking away sailors from the harboured fleet would run it dangerously thin. We already only run the second fleet with half the men thanks to the few sailors we have."

"We could bolster the fleet with the men from the Elamaerysian army?" Aethan questioned. "We do not need thirty thousand men for the rest of the campaign."

They'd taken the most well defended cities now after all.

"There are a number of settlements and towns on the way to Tolos that we need to take." Ser Uthrik interjected. "Splitting the army to take them will hasten our campaign."

"Aye." Ser Galaenys said gruffly "Besides, who knows what may come our way. We may have the Prince and Mīsaragorn but misfortune is always 'round the corner. For all we know, we could come to face multiple armies from two ways."

"The Dothraki in the East…and whomever else in the West." Aethan pondered and Ser Galaenys nodded severely as a look of annoyance passed across it.

"Reducing our army when we are so close to taking it all is not one I would suggest."

"For now, we won't reduce our army if we have no need of it." Prince Aegon said finally, ending the topic. The Prince again turned to the admiral. "Prepare your men to make sail for Astapor in two days." Prince Aegon then looked towards Keller who bowed his head slightly.

"The haul will be onboard the ships by then." Keller confirmed.

"I'll have to be quick then." Ser Lomerys muttered as he placed his hands onto his sword, a slow smirk making its way on his face. "Lest I never get the chance to swim in an ocean of gold."

There was a round of snorts though most had satisfied smiles on their faces. The coin they took from Meereen would double the coin they already had.

He was not sure what the number was – he doubted even the scholars could count that high in the time they had with it all – but it would not surprise him if the number of golden marks approached close to more than fifty million golden marks…and likely mayhaps twice that in silver. Numbers that Aethan honestly could not truly comprehend.

Did the Seven Kingdoms even have that many coins? He wasn't sure.

Nonetheless, the Elamaerysian men in this campaign, soldier or sailor or volunteer, and their families, would have the kinds of wealth not even the majority of the nobility in Westeros could claim to hold.

"You'd sooner be crushed by it all if you tried it." Ser Galaenys said with a wry smile.

"Mayhaps but I'd die a happy man." Ser Lomerys said with a grin though the moment of levity came to a sharp end as the conversation continued on the matters of the army and the campaign to Tolos.

The distances involved made any march a long one, likely a moon at the shortest, and, as had been alluded, parts of their army would have to split off to take the settlements that lay beneath the Painted Mountains.

There were not many, not since Bhorash was destroyed centuries ago, but there were estates and towns the more one went East and beyond the Black Cliffs.

They'd have to alter their methods for these towns and estates, especially if Ser Uthrik's remarks was true about these places, about how these places were poorer and more agricultural in their ways, farming the likes of olives, fruits and grain.

Curiously, Prince Aegon made a remark about enticing some of these people to help settle the Isle of Cedars.

The rest of the conversation resolved mostly about the logistics of the journey to Tolos.

Their food supply would last them for several moons though plans were made to tag on an envoy of their army with the envoy that'd be sent by the Regency Council to the Lhazareen and purchase several thousand sheep if possible.

Aethan was amused by the looks of want in some of the eyes of the men. It looked like the idea of having mutton stew was an enticing one.

The meeting went on for some time more as plans were made with regards to training of the Meereenese levies and the training of the army as a whole in preparation of the long march to the plans of second fleet being used to shadow the army in their march to Tolos.

Largely in preparation for the more complicated assault on Elyria which would of course would be a sea invasion.

Prince Aegon was reticent to use the first fleet harboured in Astapor if they could get away without using it so the numbers they could take to Elyria would be substantially lesser than during any of the takings.

Though, Ser Uthrik did make a point that there was a region of Elyria, on the western side that faced Old Valyria, that they could defend easily and wait for the rest of the army to arrive.

Prince Aegon would scout the island after they'd taken Tolos to confirm it.

When the meeting was coming to a close, for the first time that day, did Sodhabhas Qhaxos speak. "My Prince." The Summer Islander intoned, drawing all eyes to the grim-faced man.

As the meeting had dragged on, there had been something off about the Summer Islander.

Aethan curiously glanced at the Prince who met the gaze of the Summer Islander unblinkingly. "You have something to share, Sodhabhas. Share it." Aegon calmly said with a nod.

"Is our debt paid?" the Summer Islander asked as he kept up meeting the Prince's eyes.

Prince Aegon placed his arms behind his back as he tilted his head slightly.

A long moment passed before the Prince spoke. Aethan briefly wondered if Prince Aegon would refuse but he'd dismissed it and had been proven right that the Prince would not refuse moments later. "Your debt is paid." Prince Aegon confirmed and it was at that moment that Aethan saw relief form on the man's face.

Aethan exchanged looks with the knights and he saw Ser Trytas, Ser Galaenys and Ser Lomerys were not surprised by what was happening.

"Then I must tell you, my Prince, that I and my countrymen seek to desist from any more fighting." Sodhabhas declared calmly but steely.

"You should have said something sooner." Ser Trytas said with a heavy frown as he eyed the Summer Islander oddly and Aethan could guess what the man was thinking. Sodhabhas had kept his quiet throughout all of it…listening.

It was…strange. Why not begin with it? Or speak with the Prince separately?

Mayhaps it wasn't calculated, he thought as he looked towards the resolute face of the Summer Islander…he must have only just decided…even if it might have been on his mind for all of this time.

"Now of all times?" Ser Galaenys asked sharply. "We're almost done with the war!"

"For us, the war is over now that the debt is paid." Sodhabhas returned sharply, a look of anger in his eyes, anger that quickly fled after the looks of surprise he received. He sighed before he spoke again. "We have seen much blood over the past few moons. Too much blood." A look of pain passed across on his face. "Some of it on our hands." Sodhabhas looked towards the other knights before he looked to the Prince.

"We would seek to end causing any more suffering through our hands."

A sharp noise passed through Ser Maerro's mouth as he looked away with a hint of disgust on his face though he said nothing in answer…none of the men did.

"I understand." Prince Aegon said with a sharp nod though it was accompanied with cold eyes. "You may tell your people that your debt is paid and that you are free to do as you please. The one exception is that you are not to leave Meereen until we return to the city."

"I understand." Sodhabhas said, a flicker of…something passing across his face as he bowed his head and subsequently turned to leave but before he could make more than three steps, the Prince spoke.

"Sodhabhas" Prince Aegon's voice was sharp and cutting and it stopped Sodhabhas in his steps. When Sodhabhas looked over his shoulder, the Prince continued.

"Your anger, Sodhabhas, though having merit, is gravely misplaced." Prince Aegon said with hard eyes that sat in a cold unmoving face.

The Prince's words seemed to have set the Summer Islander off.

"Misplaced?" Sodhabhas said with clenching teeth. "How many people have died in this retribution of yours? In Meereen alone, at least a whole sixth of a city of half a million have likely died!" Sodhabhas' eyes were wild in disbelief and anger.

"A sixth! More than eighty thousand people! Likely more than whole hundred thousand people! Men, women, children, all dead! Add to the numbers of Yunkai and Astapor, so. Many. Dead!" Aethan was taken aback by the grief and anger that was in the Summer Islander's voice.

How long had the man been holding this in?

"Misplaced!" Sodhabhas spat out with fury as he clenched his fists. "No, my anger is not misplaced! What has happened in these cities has been nothing but abominations!"

The outbursts had caused total silence in the Hall though Ser Galaenys, Trytas and Maerro had slowly moved to place themselves in a stance, ready to strik-

"Yes." Prince Aegon's harsh voice cut through the silence and through their bodies.

Aethan looked towards the Prince and though his face was unchanged, there was a kind of rage that showed itself in his eyes.

"What we have done, what we have allowed to happen, goes against all that is civilised." Prince Aegon said, his rumbling voice rising in sharpness as he spoke.

Aethan glanced at Sodhabhas and he saw the surprise in his face though the anger was still hot, he could tell.

"And yet" Prince Aegon's expression changed for the first time since Sodhabhas had spoken. "And yet, it has been necessary." Prince Aegon said with a grim and thin smile.

"Necessary?!" Sodhabhas half-whispered in outrage. "It was not necessary! It was never necessary! You never decided to find another way, another path to get these people free! You decided it was necessary, you alone, without ever seeking another path, a better path, a-"

"a more moral and humane path?" Prince Aegon cut in, the grim thin smile deepening.

"A just path." Sodhabhas said angrily and he breathed through his nose, likely the only way he could breathe with how furious and tense the Summer Islander was.

"Rhaegar." Prince Aegon said after several moments of tense silence.

"Yes, Your Grace." The Unsullied commander said with a blank expression as he turned to look to the Prince.

"When did you start your…training?"

"Five namedays, my Prince." The Unsullied commander said.

"Describe your training." Prince Aegon said even as he kept his eyes on Sodhabhas who grew wary and impatient, his anger still clear and apparent.

"From dusk to dawn, we trained. On the first, the third, and the fifth day, we ran from dusk to dawn in full pack on our bare feet outside the gates of Astapor. On the second and fourth day, we trained with shortsword, the shield and three spears. On the sixth day, we ran, from dusk to dawn, across a bed of hot coals with full pack. On the seventh day, we trained with the older Unsullied who left us bruising and at times near death." The Unsullied commander said with a monotonous voice.

"Was this the extent of your training in your…youth?"

"No, Your Grace. This was only the first year of training."

"How many survived this first year of…training?"

"In my cohort, I was one of four hundred to live."

"…How many did your cohort have, Rhaegar?"

"I cannot be sure, Your Grace, but it was not uncommon for cohorts to begin with one thousand."

Aethan looked away from the Unsullied commander and towards the other knights who looked hard-faced with anger barely being controlled. He then eyed the Summer Islander who still looked anger but there was pity in his eyes.

"What is the point of this retelling of his tragedy?" Sodhabhas demanded as he gestured towards the Unsullied. "Do you think it'd sway me in any way?"

Prince Aegon's expression shifted and there was thunder brewing on his face.

"You said your piece." Came Prince Aegon's response, his voice harsh and unyielding and his eyes bored into Sodhabhas. "Now you will listen…or is your sympathy only reserved for the dead and not the living?"

Sodhabhas sent a look of almost loathing to the Prince and, for a moment, he thought the Summer Islander would make moves to leave but if he had been, he'd been stilled with the Prince's next question.

"How many of your cohort lived by the time you were deemed 'pure' by the slavers?" Prince Aegon asked of Rhaegar.

"Two hundred." Rhaegar answered simply.

"And how many Unsullied are…made every year?"

"Two thousand, Your Grace."

Prince Aegon began to walk towards Sodhabhas. "Two thousand Unsullied a year…on average. If we consider Rhaegar's cohort to be an average, a fifth survive to become an Unsullied." Prince Aegon came to a stop just outside of a sword's swing in front of Sodhabhas.

"Rhaegar…what were you made to do to earn your spiked cap?" There was a flinch in Sodhabhas' eyes. Everyone knew now the depravity that the Unsullied were made to go through. 'The bricks of Astapor are red with the blood of the slaves who make them' passed through his mind, a saying that he thought represented so much of the evil that was produced in this Bay.

There was a large part of him that agreed with Sodhabhas that abhorred at what was done to a great many people, he thought as he remembered the days in which the army and the people of this city had spent merely taking bodies from the streets to places where they'd be burnt, but he also knew that sometimes…

Sometimes for good to thrive in places were good was long used to paint bricks with blood, terrible acts of terror were needed to be committed.

Sodhabhas, he mused as he stared the still defiantly angry Summer Islander, was not willing to understand that. And Aethan could not find it within himself to pity the man for this unwillingness…or what the Prince was going to say.

Rhaegar took a moment to answer. "We were made to find a newborn and kill it in front of the newborn's mother's eyes."

"What did you feel when you were made to do this?" Prince Aegon's voice was no longer harsh but sympathetic.

"Nothing." Rhaegar again took a moment to answer.

"And now…what do you feel?"

"I…I regret."

No one spoke for a long moment before the Prince broke the silence.

"If you consider that there were ten different cohorts that year, ten thousand children died by the actions of the slavers." Prince Aegon's voice was quiet though all could hear without trouble.

"When we took Astapor, there had been one and twenty thousand Unsullied, with three and ten thousand available for purchase. That means, for the three and ten thousand, five and sixty thousand children had to die to make the Unsullied." Prince Aegon explained with chilling calmness and Aethan blanched at the words.

He wasn't the only one. Even Ser Galaenys was shocked at the number. The only ones who was not stricken by the number were Rhaegar and Ser Trytas but Ser Trytas' hardness wasn't that surprising given that little fazed the man.

Sodhabhas however, was visibly fazed by the number.

"Two and fifty thousand during the training…and three and ten thousand newborns. When you consider the eight thousand that survived to be 'almost pure', you can consider that around two and thirty thousand more could have died during their…youth." Prince Aegon's corner of his mouth moved up when he'd said youth.

"Seven and ninety thousand dead children. To make one and twenty thousand Unsullied." Prince Aegon continued brutally, his face unchanging as he stared into Sodhabhas' black eyes. "When you consider the slavers in Astapor have been doing this since the Doom, if the information is accurate, then that means in two hundred years, making two thousand Unsullied a year, there could have been as many as two million dead children at the hands of the slavers in Astapor."

Aethan felt a chill run up his spine. Two…two million children…?

It was…it was unthinkable.

"Even if Rhaegar's cohort was a specially brutal year, even if you consider that twice as many live on average, that is still a million children dead."

"What is your point." Sodhabhas' voice was calm but he was visibly shaken and distraught by the deaths…the senseless deaths. "I do not disagree that they are…were monsters" Sodhabhas said with ever more quieting voice. He continued "but we do not have to be like them to stop their evil."

"Whose evil?" Prince Aegon asked quietly before he continued. "The evil of the Masters? You know better than to consider that only the Masters were responsible for the travesties that have been committed here for generations." Prince Aegon said with a shake of the head.

"Slave trading is interwoven not only in the economy but in the very culture of these cities, in large parts of the world. It is their right, they believe. It is part of their culture. It is even part of their faith." Prince Aegon's voice rose as he spoke.

"They name places like Plaza of Punishment, they sacrifice untold innocents to the fighting pits in honour of their Gods, oft times gruesomely and horrifically, sending women and their children to be devoured by starved beasts!" Prince Aegon had clenched his fists in the tirade and he leaned in slightly as he spoke further.

"They cheer such atrocities…and they encourage it amongst the enslaved…to see blood and gore as a way of life, their life, to deepen fear into them that there are worse fates than living enslaved and obedient." Prince Aegon shook his head and Aethan noticed a look of disgust on his face.

"And you think by butchering everyone who is not a slave in these cities will make everything right?" Sodhabhas challenged. "Do you not see that you are only fostering the same evil, just different!" Sodhabhas said with angry exasperation.

Sodhabhas continued "What do the now freed see and but that their troubles can be washed away through the wholesale slaughter of others? That violence, terrible, blind, all-consuming violence is an acceptable means to an end?!" Sodhabhas said with grief in his voice. "Do you not see, Prince Aegon?" Sodhabhas said as he closed his eyes. "So many were killed, women and children alike, inspired by the killings of the army…it will not end."

"I do see." Prince Aegon said after long moments of silence passed and Sodhabhas reopened his eyes and he looked surprised at what he saw.

There was regret in Prince Aegon's eyes, regret that flickered across his expression.

"I see your points…the fear that you hold. That violence begets more violence." Prince Aegon said before his expression lost any trace of regret.

"And, perhaps, had it been elsewhere, where blood was not steeped in the bedrock, in the streets and in the walls, where the legacy of blood and suffering did not leave a stench or a stain on everything within these cities, mayhaps…mayhaps, me and my men could have taken a different route…mayhaps we would not have been needed." Prince Aegon's face grew colder, hard, unmoving, as he continued.

"But unfortunately…we are needed and we do not shirk of our responsibility even if we came in retribution…at first." Prince Aegon eyed the rest of the men before he continued. "And I can speak for my men and all the men and women who stand with me, that we do not regret having to be needed…needed to give a new life to this land steeped in blood and terror…where stories like the Unsullied are common.

Do not mistake the story of the Unsullied for an isolated one. It is only the most well-known, much of the reason for it being so well-known is only so to ensure that the desire for them as weapons never wavers. Astapor. Yunkai. Meereen. Tolos. Elyria. These cities…these Ghiscari have destroyed countless of lives in the preservation and upholding of their society.

Nothing more explains them better than the symbol of the harpy, whip in grasp, iron collar in talons, the exact thing what they and their culture stands for…what they are willing to fight for and ensure." Prince Aegon said before he placed his arms behind his back, his mismatching eyes staring at Sodhabhas with unwavering.

"It is a terrible thing of what has happened to the more innocent Ghiscari but I will not regret what has happened for there are none will any longer fear the iron collars of the slavers or the whips they hold. Perhaps it is for the better that most of them died, taking with them their filthy culture."

Sodhabhas looked aghast at Prince Aegon. "You cannot truly think that."

"I do." Prince's Aegon's eyes were cold as he said that. He continued.

"Had the Ghiscari lived, they would only live to stew in the background, remembering what they had lost.

Had the Ghiscari lived, they would have worked in the background, conspiring, plotting, to break apart this new society piece by piece.

Had the Ghiscari lived, they would have enticed the weak with poisonous words and promises of plenty, sowing discord amongst what should be brothers and sisters in arms.

Had the Ghiscari lived, with even a small measure of their wealth, soon enough they'd exploit their advantages until they had a basis to establish a new means of 'protection', mayhaps masked as 'guards' against 'hostile' former slaves, using incidents that may or may not happen as justification.

Had the Ghiscari lived, and lived long enough, with time, they could reach out to the likes of Qarth, Volantis, or New Ghis, and with their aid, regain their position, only more brutal and only more murderous."

"You cannot know that." Sodhabhas said with disdain and Aethan could tell that he would not want to listen, not even slightly. "Your own family changed its ways despite a legacy of evil."

Aethan narrowed his eyes at those words.

"The Ghiscari should have had the chance as well."

"The Ghiscari did have the choice. They had it when the Doom happened." Prince Aegon said with a thin smile "And this" Prince Aegon said as he gestured to Rhaegar with a grim yet apologetic look on his face. "Is what they have done with it." Prince Aegon shook his head.

"Your anger…the anger of your countrymen, is misplaced for you weep for those who have been partly, if not mostly, responsible for the destruction and deaths of millions of lives across only a few centuries, instead of weeping for the lives that will never be…instead of joyfully weeping for the lives that will be now that these people have a chance to live freely." Prince Aegon smiled grimly at Sodhabhas.

"But I know, now, that you have no intent to understand that…or why it is necessary to wipe out an enemy rather than let it remain and fester until its strong enough to avenge itself." Prince Aegon gestured towards Sodhabhas, disappointment etched on his face. "Go and tell your countrymen that I release them of the debt owed and tell them the only demand I have is to remain in Meereen until the rest of Bay is freed." Prince Aegon then turned away from Sodhabhas and did not spare him another look as he walked away.

Sodhabhas still looked angry but there was uncertainty in his expression as he stood still for a long few moments. Finally, after his gaze flickered away from the Prince's back, meeting the gazes of the rest of the men in the Hall, eyes that looked at him harshly and critically, it seemed to have jolted Sodhabhas out of his stillness and he turned to leave, a weak scowl born on his face.

After the doors to the Hall closed, Prince Aegon then spoke to Rhaegar, an apologetic expression on his face. "You have my apologies, Rhaegar, for the way I used your suffering in my explanation."

"Rhaegar understands, Your Grace." The Unsullied said as he met the Prince's gaze. He looked away, towards the door and Aethan thought he saw the Unsullied clench his teeth but he couldn't be sure. "Sodhabhas does not understand."

Prince Aegon sighed before he tiredly nodded. "No…he does not. Sometimes…sometimes one must commit great deals of bloodshed and violence so that more bloodshed and violence is forever ended."

"Clearing the field so that the olive tree can grow." Ser Trytas grunted with a note in his voice that Aethan wasn't sure he knew it meant.

Prince Aegon only looked towards Trytas, a grim and tired smile on his face as he nodded slightly.

"Ser Uthrik." Prince Aegon said as he turned to face the man.

"I will have men put eyes on them." Ser Uthrik answered the request before it was asked and Aethan saw the same look of determination on his face as he'd seen on Ser Trytas' face. "It will be difficult to keep an eye on four hundred at the same time. And after we march…"

"You know which ones Sodhabhas relies on…considers friends. Only them. When we march, the Council and Tyqor will do the rest."

"He wouldn't betray the cause…would he?" Ser Maerro asked with a frown. Aethan understood…had it been days ago, he wouldn't have thought it. To ally with slavers. But now…?

"If he planned to…he wouldn't see it as betrayal." Prince Aegon said with a grim smile. "He's too moral for that. Nor would he do it in a way that would see the people of the cities betrayed and harmed…no, he'd do it in such a way that would cause us trouble in the long run…how…I am not sure yet." Prince Aegon shook his head before he eyed Rhaegar. "It would help if you could help getting your men to keep an eye on them."

"It will be done, Your Grace." Rhaegar answered and the Prince smiled at the Unsullied before he nodded, his expression changing as he finished it.

"It's been a long day. We'll meet again in a few days." Prince Aegon said and the men began to leave the Hall. "Ser Aethan." Aethan stopped in his steps and the Prince gestured him to the table. "Stay."

Aethan eyed the Prince curiously before he looked towards the other men and nodded to them, bidding them goodbye, and he eyed the guards who stepped in to stand inside of the Hall before he took to turn to the Prince.

Prince Aegon had taken a seat at the table though his eyes were out towards the horizon, staring out of the open balcony.

There was a strange look on his face as he stared out, one that almost seemed as if he was…lost in something.

"My Prince?" Aethan asked with a note of concern in his voice. Did Sodhabhas really affect him this much?

Sodhabhas was right in some ways but he was also wrong in a great many.

Slavers were a terrible breed and so were the societies that nurtured them. Killing the men was the best option they had to ending the practice and the rot.

The only sympathy that Aethan held was for the many women and children that died in chaos of the rebellions. They deserved to live. To grow and change.

"I've told you many times. Call me Aegon when we are alone, Aethan." Prince Aegon said as he turned to face the man, a small smile adorned on his face. "We are to be family when our children wed."

Ser Aethan smiled faintly as he took a seat near the Prince.

"My mother would have my hide if I addressed one of the blood so casually."

Prince Aegon chuckled lightly. "Aye, I can believe that of Lady Lianna." Ser Aethan smiled at the naming of his mother. Prince Aegon had met his mother a few times in his youth as consequence of his friendship with Bartimos.

The levity in the Prince's expression faded as he turned towards looking to the horizon. "The fleet of Galleons will likely arrive by the time we have taken Tolos. Mayhaps sooner." Aethan was surprised by the sudden words and he was even more surprised when the Prince glanced at him and said the following.

"You should return to Elamaerys with the fleet then."

"My Prince…" he stopped when Prince Aegon raised his hand.

"Your son Alton turns four namedays not long from now, won't he?"

Aethan was surprised once more. "Aye, he does." Aethan paused for a moment before he spoke again "Has Princess Gael…said something about my family?"

He knew that Prince Aegon spoke with the Princess to keep himself updated on the colony and its affairs. He once asked about it, and he did not think it untrue that the Prince told him that he only spoke with the Princess and no one else.

Prince Aegon shook his head. "Nothing beyond the usual." He assured. "That everyone is hale and healthy thanks to the mountain air." Prince Aegon said before he shook his head. "No, I am merely mentioning that the early option to go exists."

"If you stay, you'll miss more than half of his young life by the time this all ends. He may not even remember you." Prince Aegon said before he looked back towards the horizon. "Think on it."

The strange conversation ended not long after that, thankfully though, the silence was broken when the smallfolk cook Larissa, the only woman he'd seen bring the Prince food or drink since they arrived in the Bay, brought food for the pair of them.

Though Aethan did not speak, the smallfolk Larissa did plenty of it as she'd spoken with the Prince throughout the meal, speaking of all sorts of things, such as what they needed to replenish their stocks of food and what would be nice to have.

He never got used to it, seeing Prince Aegon speak so casually with her. On Claw Isle, he'd be hard pressed to remember any conversation with a smallfolk that did not last more than a few moments.

By the time the meal finished, it had soon enough been time for the Regency Councillors and Keller and another scholar to arrive. He stayed when the Prince asked him to, to observe and listen to what was being discussed.

Aethan could admit that he did not have a like of it though his thoughts on his family, his daughter, his son, were the culprit of his disinterest.

He only listened with half an ear as they talked about the stages the pyramids were in, stages in which the pyramids were being repurposed to suit for judicial or tax collecting purposes to being used for housing Guilds.

Talks had extended to tearing down the shoddy buildings that nestled in and at the edges of the cities all the way to the hiring of scribes to be part of the administration. Tax collectors, tutors, some new title named bureaucrats and many other such functions.

Plans were being made to tear down the shoddy buildings nestled in the city and build new homes, homes that would be apportioned to populace, which led to conversation of rebuilding and tearing down the burnt pyramids.

The only point of interest he had in the conversation was about the Lhazareen, about the Regency Council sending an 'diplomatic' envoy to open up trade and if possible conversation about joining the coalition of slaver-free cities.

Aethan did not know much about the Lhazareen but he did know that they survived this long despite being vulnerable to the predations of the Dothraki. They were almost certainly a hardy people.

The councillors would do well to get them into the coalition…if they managed it.

Finally, the meeting ended and Aethan had been free to go. By the time he and his escort of guards – none of the commanders of the army were permitted to roam the city without a guard on them – reached the city, dusk was almost setting in.

'Alton…' Aethan thought to himself. The mention of his son, and the chance to return to his family…

He paused for a moment, his gaze towards the pyramid by the gates, where the army was stationed, moving away instead towards one of the main squares at the centre of the city. "We'll make a small stop elsewhere." Aethan said to the guards and soon, he and his guards strode through the wide brick streets, their eyes vigilant as they made their way through the city.

The city was much calmer now, things settling out.

Much of the calmness had stemmed from the speeches Prince Aegon had given to the people though he expected that some of the calmness came from the fact that they were truly free and truly to live their own lives.

Tyqor mentioned that there was little appetite amongst the majority of the city to fight wholly and truly, though, he mused to himself as he eyed a thick stain of red on the brick streets, he didn't think that these people wouldn't fight for their freedoms, if they had to.

The smell of blood was still present, lingering like old smells stained on old stones, but, he thought, it was less strong than it was days before.

Time was a cure for many things…even the smells of blood…the smells of struggle.

He and his guards strode through the wide brick streets, his eyes vigilant as he made his way towards

vigilant sweeping from left to right continuously as he made way towards the Great Pyramid.

The city was much calmer now, especially after the Prince had made his speech to the people, though Aethan knew that this city was far from

The smell of blood was still present, lingering like old smells stained on old stones.

Finally, he arrived at the place he felt the itch to visit. It was a large old and worn brick building, with a wooden door that looks like it could be blown away in a gentle breeze.

He recalled Keller speaking of this place…of the man who worked here…who likely owned this place now that his master was dead.

Aethan walked in through the doors and he was greeted with faint smell of dyes and the like, and, as he walked in deeper into the building, he was greeted with the sight of half finished statues of all sorts of sizes.

Statues, he thought as he gazed upon the statue that bore a face that could seem to belong to a true man, that were impressive to say the least.

He could tell why this man was chosen to build the Lady Liberty of Meereen, he mused as he turned his gaze to a large block of marble that had parchment on the ground with the words written 'I saw, I came, I liberated'.

'Curious…' he mused to himself as he eyed the words. Before he could think further on it, distant steps that came closer drew him out of his thoughts and soon enough, there was an old man, grey-haired and marred with great lines of wrinkles on his face, in clothes that were stained in all kinds of dyes, so much so that the centre of his apron was almost black and brown.

The man scrutinised him, eying his armour and the armour of the men. "What I can do for one of the Prince's men?" the man asked in the strange bastard Valyrian well known to these parts of the world.

"I want to buy sets of figurines for my family." Aethan said simply and the man rubbed his cheek.

"What kind of figurines?"

"Animals. Men. I do not care much for what it is only that it is suitable for two young girls and a young boy." Aethan said in answer.

"It will take time. I have many requests."

Aethan waved him off. "I do not need it now. I will need it in three moons. Have it ready then. I will pay you whatever you want to get it done on time."

The old man eyed him closely for a moment before he spoke. "It'll cost you."

Aethan only raised an eyebrow in answer and the old man, after taking a moment, nodded. "Alright. Done. Your name, good man?"

"Ser Aethan Celtigar." Aethan said before he turned. "I will send a man with coin tomorrow to pay in advance."

"Ah, I don't wish to take coin until the'works done."

"Think of it as incentive to make the sets well." Aethan said over his shoulder, not once stopping as he walked out of the shop, far too preoccupied as he was on the question that had wormed in his mind…

The question about whether or not he'd join the sets of figurines on the journey to Elamaerys…or not.

-Break-

Late 112 AC

Baelon Targaryen POV

"Mother." Baelon said with quieted irritation as he peeled off his mother's hands from his face.

Despite his reassuring look, the worry on his mother's face deepened.

He knew his mother held little love for Kings Landing, and even less love for the 'snakes that called that sewer home' as she was oft to say, but sometimes…sometimes he wondered if she wasn't just fearful whenever he was out of her sight.

The attack that nearly killed him harmed her greatly, mayhaps more than it did him in many ways, and the harm lasted even long after he had recovered and healed.

"With accolades and mayhaps even a knighthood." Baelon said with a sly smile and the words did as he wished, causing his mother to smile a little.

"You're very good for your age but don't grow foolishly arrogant." His mother chastised but there was little heat in it.

"It isn't arrogant if you have the means to defend it." Baelon returned, his sly smile growing into a smirk and a look of irritation flashed across his mother's face.

"You're taking more and more of Daemon." His mother said with a strange look. He wasn't sure if she meant it as an insult or not.

It was hard to tell, at times, when either of them, his father or mother, spoke of the other when the other wasn't present. He had gotten to learn that they were was little care between them, something he had come to learn plenty since his father came to live with them, but he thought that things were getting…better?

"There is much to be learn from your father, but his demeanour is not one of them. I know you're jesting but do not do so when you're in the presence of the Lords lest they think you your father come again. It will only do you harm." His mother warned with a sense of graveness in her voice.

Mayhaps he was being more hopeful than was merited. Mayhaps the only reason he thought it was getting better was because father was more in Kings Landing over the past few moons…

"Yes mother." Baelon said dutifully, if only so that he could get a moment to get away.

"Good. And don't speak unless you must. They will use and twist your words to cause you and your Houses harm." His mother said as she once again eyed him closely for anything out of order…a hair or dink on his armour.

"Yes mother." Baelon said.

"And remember to stick close to your cousin." His mother said, referring to his distant cousin William Royce, the only cousin his mother trusted in their side of the family. "William is a good man. He'll help you in that city."

"Yes mother." Baelon said again, trying hard to stay calm.

His mother narrowed her eyes this time and he wondered if she knew what he was doing. Thankfully she didn't as she nodded silently before she smiled faintly.

"Do your Houses proud, Baelon." His mother said and Baelon smiled at his mother. She knew that he wanted to partake in the squire's melee, like his father had and both of his grandfathers had in their time, and the words felt like a warm balm.

It was a shame that mother felt like she had to stay and rule Runestone. Mayhaps if grandfather had lived a little while longer, he would have had both of his parents watch him try and win the melee.

"I swear it." Baelon said with a determined look and his mother looked at him with a touch of amusement before she shook her head.

"Come, your father is almost certainly impatiently waiting on you." His mother said dryly with a roll of her eyes and Baelon suppressed a groan of irritation.

Thankfully, his mother had little words to say about his father by the time they arrived at the front gates and excitement brewed within him.

He'd flown on Caraxes a few times but this time it would be several hours as they flew to Kings Landing, far longer than any instance before.

He felt the hand on his shoulder tighten as they passed through the gates, greeted as they were with the sight of bloodred scales on a body half the size of castles.

Caraxes lay there, in front of his father who stood with his hands on the hilt of his sword, curled and watchful, low clicks of noises that sounded unlike any animal he'd ever heard do.

"There you are!" his father shouted as he raised his hands. "I thought your mother may have kept you locked up in one of those damned broken towers!"

"Told you." His mother muttered and when he looked to see her face, he saw her look a little amused and even a little triumphant and Baelon couldn't help but sigh.

Still, he let it go and smiled at his father, his eyes darting to the dangerous dragon.

"Ah, the everlasting fascination of dragons." His father said with a grin, forcing Baelon to look at his father. "I was much the same your age." His father said as he seized Baelon's shoulders before he wrapped his arm around him.

"Dear Rhae." His father said before he continued "You look as delightful as always. Did you change your hair?"

His mother narrowed his eyes and for a moment Baelon was worried. Thankfully, he didn't need to be. "Do be careful with our son."

His father' s expression shifted "Always." His father said and his mother only nodded before she looked towards him.

"Write once you arrive."

Baelon nodded and soon he was turned around by his father. "We have some time yet before we're expected at Kings Landing." His father said to him in an almost conspiratorial manner. "We'll be taking the long route."

The excitement that he felt bloom deeper and his father must have seen it in his face as he began to chuckle.

Caraxes gave off a number of low clicks as the dragon raised its head, its serpentine neck snaking as it raised the head, his grey eyes, the colour of storm clouds, staring directly at him.

Caraxes was the only dragon he'd seen in his life but he thought there must be few that looked and appeared as fearsome as he.

"Go on, climb." His father urged in High Valyrian as they neared the dragon. "He hasn't forgotten your smell." He'd ridden atop Caraxes twice before, and each time felt like he was on the edge of death, though, Baelon never felt like it was something to fear.

No, it only embolden the sense of excitement.

Caraxes stretched out his wing and he climbed atop of it before he pulled himself up on the ropes, until his feet found purchase and walked towards the first saddle, the saddle his father had made for him to use.

His father settled in the saddle behind him and a few moments later, Caraxes began to ran to take off, and soon enough, they were flying.

He never tired of the feeling of the wind crashing into his face, or when he closed his eyes, it felt like he was flying with just his body.

'That is the dragonblood calling out to you, my son' he recalled his father's words after he'd closed his eyes. 'It yearns to be as we are. Free to fly, free to be above all others'.

The hours that it took to get to Kings Landing felt both too long and too short, as the city that must be Kings Landing appeared. He was impressed by it, to tell the truth, particularly the beacon that stood atop the rock at the edge of the city, the Red Keep.

Soon, they arrived at what must the dragon pit, dust clouds forming as Caraxes slowed his descent, until Caraxes claws set down and pulled in his wings, almost crashing down to the ground, forcing Baelon to keep his hands on the handle.

Soon four men, dragonkeepers they must be, came towards them with long poles as he and his father descended down of the back of Caraxes.

"Come Baelon." His father said as he placed a hand on his shoulder, taking him towards the depths of the tunnel where the dragonkeepers were guiding Caraxes.

Baelon noticed a look of surprise on one of the dragonkeepers as they walked past them, which peaked Baelon's curiosity. "Where are we going, father?"

His father only grinned at him, the kind of grin that he often saw on his father's face when he was riling up mother. Baelon didn't think it being directed to him was something he particularly liked…

They walked through the dark tunnel lighted by rows upon rows of torches, sounds of growls and clicks and big things moving surrounded them, crowning the tunnel in the same ways as the light of the flames was.

"Father…" Baelon grew concerned as they walked in deeper. He was beginning to understand what his father was planning. His father had often talked about Baelon claiming a dragon, especially at the beginning.

His mother hated the idea, and often spoke to him privately about it, the dangers that came with trying to tame such dangerous 'beasts' though she'd suddenly stopped one day, likely thanks to whatever father may have told her.

So he knew that it was likely that father would have him bond with a dragon…he didn't think it'd be so soon.

"Won't the King be angry if I do this?" Baelon asked with a concerned frown. Yes, Baelon was a Targaryen but it was expected that he'd change his name to Royce once he ascended to Lord of Runestone.

His father chuckled and he peered down at Baelon as he spoke, and Baelon thought he could see the flickering flames dance in his eyes. "Viserys might grumble for a few hours but he'll mean nothing of it. He'll see that this is your right as my son, and the future husband of his daughter."

Baelon nodded slowly. He didn't know the King, only a little through the letters from Princess Rhaenyra and a little from his father, so he consoled himself that his father knew what he saying.

"Which dragon am I to bond with?" Baelon asked as his gaze flickered from side to side, taking in what he could with his eyes. His eyes, when they caught the look of a young blue scaled dragon chained to a wall, wavered on long after it.

"Forget that runt of a she-dragon." His father said in a dismissive and annoyed. "She's too young and useless. No, there is only one dragon for you."

Baelon's head turned to face his father, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Which one?"

His father responded with a smirk long before he spoke any words. "The dragon you were born to ride." His father tried to say cryptically before he looked away from Baelon and Baelon's heart began to race in his chest.

He knew which dragon his father wanted him to bond with, mayhaps had always known…the dragon that his grandfather, Yorbert had told him stories about. The dragon that Baelon had often wondered if it would be his.

They continued to walk a little further into the tunnel, taking a right and then another right, until, until they were made to stop by low growling that shook the very cave walls.

"Do not make a sudden move." His father warned though Baelon was far too distracted by a bright red glow hidden by yellow rows of disorganised teeth the size of swords.

The head, a head that seemed larger than the snake like head of Caraxes, bronze scales marred with scars, that grew further still as the dragon crept out of the shadows, skin and scale that dangled from its lowers of its neck as its brown eyes set upon him.

Baelon was stuck in one place under the eyes of this dragon, a dragon that seemed to not yet have decided whether or not it'd eat him…probably.

Eyes that then latched onto his father who stretched out a hand, slowly and gently, words spilling out of his mouth soothingly. "Calm Vermithor…remember me…? Yes…you remember me."

"Baelon." His father's call was curt and Baelon looked towards his father who began to step away. "Go to him."

The words didn't register to him for a moment until Baelon's eyes widened at what his father was asking him.

"Baelon." His father said again, calmly, his voice still soothing and never rising. Baelon met his father's gaze, who looked upon him with an intense look. "Go. He is meant to be yours. Take your destiny." His father's voice echoed against the walls of the cave.

Baelon felt himself walking before he even realised, the great brown eyes of Vermithor moving towards Baelon and now, the great disorganised sword like teeth grew to be akin that of longswords fit for a giant with how Vermithor curled back his scaled lips and Baelon had to fight the urge to step back with all that he had and, after a momentary pause, he continued walking.

He wasn't sure what inspired him to speak but speak he did.

"I dreamt of you." Baelon said, almost surprised but what he said but he found more of what he meant the closer he got to bronze dragon. "When I first learnt that I was a Targaryen and I learned of all the dragons, none meant more to me than you did." It was true. He'd always found Vermithor and what he stood for irresistible.

The Bronze Fury.

"The Bronze Fury. The King's dragon." Baelon found himself smiling despite the growling that escaped through the rows of sword-like teeth. "And now that I am here…I see that you were always meant to be mine. And I yours. The Bronze scaled dragon for the dragon born from the line of Bronze Kings." Baelon was only a few steps away from the maw of Vermithor, and, after a few breathless steps, he finally reached the bronze dragon, his hand atop of the very warm snout, and Baelon…

Baelon was in awe of Vermithor, his eyes meeting the brown eyes that peered down at him, the dragon's lips now hiding much of the dragon's teeth.

"Vermithor agrees with you." His father said, his voice echoing, and Baelon turned to face his father and saw him smile, a smile that seemed to be proud and yet more in the way his smile seemed to stretch wide across his face.

"I am bonded now with him?" Baelon asked as he turned back to the dragon, the dragon who seemed to push against his hand, causing Baelon's eyes to widen at the act.

"If you weren't, you would have been an arm short by now." His father's voice had amusement in it. "Yes…you are now bonded to my grandfather's dragon. Close your eyes and search for the bond."

Baelon closed his eyes.

He wasn't sure how long he had his eyes closed but, when he felt it, a strange feeling that that felt like a part of his body, a part he never used before, he reopened his eyes and stared wide eyed at Vermithor.

It was…amazing. Unlike anything he ever felt. It was as if a whole arm suddenly appeared. "I feel it." Baelon said in Common, awe creeping in his voice.

Baelon remained with Vermithor, his hand moving from the snout to other parts of his head and neck and Vermithor simply let him.

It was some time later that Baelon asked. "When can I fly with him?" The thought of flying with Vermithor excited him like nothing else, and Vermithor growled lowly, causing Baelon to smile and wonder if Vermithor could understand what he wanted.

"Not today. Come…we will return on the morrow." His father said, making Baelon frown. He turned to look at his father with a question in his face.

"Viserys will have been informed of our arrival." His father offered in explanation and Baelon remembered why they'd come in the first place.

Though Baelon mused that his father likely always planned for him to come here as well.

"I will be back tomorrow, Vermithor. We'll fly then." Baelon said after he turned back to face the dragon, his words and his voice carrying that promise fervently.

Baelon stepped away from Vermithor and stepped towards his father, who never once shed the wide smile that he bore on his face.

"We will fly tomorrow, won't we?" Baelon asked eagerly.

His father laughed as he put his arm around Baelon's shoulder. "The bond is merely the first step. No. Not until after you have learned a great many things will you ride." Baelon wondered what must be learnt. Wouldn't the bond and time be the only things that mattered? The disappointment must have be palpable for his father laughed louder as they walked.

"So impatient." There was a smile in his father's voice and it lessened the disappointment. Only a little.

"Father…you said 'do you remember me' to Vermithor." Baelon said, leaving the question unsaid. His father understood his meaning.

His father took on a contemplative look. "I was younger than you when I first met Vermithor. Mayhaps eight or nine namedays old. At that time, even now still, Silverwing and Vermithor were and are always together." His father seemed to smile though it seemed a little odd.

Baelon couldn't believe he forgot that Rhaenyra was bonded to Silverwing…like Queen Alysanne and now he was bonded with Vermithor…like King Jaehaerys.

Baelon remembered the lessons of his maester, of how King Jaehaerys and Queen Alyssanne were the best King and Queen the Realm had seen, and he couldn't help but wonder if that'd be him and Rhaenyra after they were wed.

If they'd be as good a King and Queen as the Old King and the Good Queen. Well…King-Consort, he corrected himself.

His father continued. "My grandmother, for a period of time, used to take me to go see those two dragons." His father soon lost it as he glanced at Baelon.

"Vermithor has known me for a long time." His father made them stop and he placed his hands onto Baelon's shoulders, leaning in, his violet eyes gleaming under the distant light of the noon sun.

"And the moment you were born, I knew you were destined for Vermithor, and I know my grandfather, for whom Vermithor had hatched for, knew it too, for he knew, just as I knew, that you, my son, my heir, were worthy of Vermithor and only Vermithor was worthy of you, the dragon of Kings"

"I am only to be a King's Consort, father." Baelon tried.

His father's lips twisted, the gleam in his eyes fading as he gripped more tightly on Baelon's shoulders. "No. You will be King" his father asserted. "The Lords will look to you, not her. Your voice will matter more than hers. You, my son, will be the one who will truly rule the Realm. The Lords know it. The Lords prefer it."

Baelon nodded slowly, keeping his real thoughts as far away from his mind. He wasn't surprised that his father thought like this. For a moment, he wondered…

His father let go of his shoulders and the gleam in his eyes completely gone and Baelon thought his father let off a quiet sigh.

His father eyed him long and still before he spoke again. "My father did not have the chance the wear Aegon's crown like he deserved. Nor will I wear the crown. You will." His father said and the intensity in his expression faded completely, and, in its stead, came the familiar smirk that belonged to his father.

"Come. The Red Keep beckons. Let us not dwell too long lest my brother sends out a hunting party." His father said with a growing smirk and Baelon found himself walking, and, after they'd gotten atop horses and rode for the Red Keep, Baelon couldn't help but wonder…

…do all of the other Lords think like his father did?