The Black and Red Dragon

Chapter 54: Politics and Personal Decisions

The situation surrounding the Harpies has not improved. Grey Worm and I barely manage to find any leads. We have been able to limit the casualties by increasing the number of people per patrol unit. Still, it is not a solution. There are too many suspects and we can't randomly move against people. If we do, we might scare them away or some other unforeseen events. I am at a loss as to what to do.

I hear a knocking sound and someone opens the door. I look up from my documents to see Daenerys walking in. "How are things going?" She asks. I sigh. "Things are still the same. I don't know how to find these people. They leave very few clues. And we can't interrogate the people behind the masks because we can't find them or they kill themselves before we can," I say. "I am at a loss, Dany. Even during my own patrols, I do not see anything suspicious."

"Perhaps Daario can help you. He has just arrived in Meereen," she says. "Great, instead of one headache I get two," I say through a long sigh. "Well, let's hope their mission to Yunkai went well. I can use some good news for once," I say and stand up. Daenerys smiles. "Daario can be useful. He just needs to be given the opportunity. Come, let's get to the throne room. We will meet them there," Daenerys says.

We walked through the hallways towards the throne room. Daenerys sat down and I stand closely next to her. Not soon after, Daario and Hizdahr came into the room. They stop in front of the throne and Hazdahr gives a bow and started to speak.

"The mission in Yunkai was a resounding success. The Wise Masters of Yunkai have agreed to cede power to a council of elders, made up of both freedmen and the former slaveholders. All matters of importance will be brought to you for review," Hazdahr says. This certainly is a surprise. I thought it would be more difficult. Daenerys also seems to be happy from the looks of it.

"Good," Daenerys says with a slightly happy tone. "They did ask for some concessions," Hazdahr continued. 'Of course, they did...' I thought to myself. "Concession?" Daenerys asks. "Politics is the art of compromise, Your Grace," Hazdahr says. "I am not a politician. I am a queen," Daenerys says annoyed. I chuckle softly.

"Forgive me. You are right, of course. Still, it is better to rule over happy subjects than angry ones," he explained. 'For once, I can say that I agree. Only, knowing Daenerys, she won't accept all demands from the Wise Masters.' I pondered in my head. "I don't expect the Wise Master to be happy. Slavery made them rich, I ended slavery," she says more annoyed. "They do not ask for the return of slavery. They ask for the re-opening of the fighting pits." Daenerys raises an eyebrow. "The fighting pits? Where slaves fought slaves to the death," she says laced with venom. She is becoming slightly angry.

"In the new world that you have brought to us, free men would fight free men," Hizdahr says. Daario brings out his knife, playing with it. I sigh quietly. "The pit fighters that you liberated plead for this opportunity. Bring some here and ask them yourselves," Hizdahr continues to explain. "No fighting pits," Daenerys says. "Opening them would show the people you respect their traditions."

"I do not respect the tradition of human cockfighting," Daenerys says annoyed. "If you...," Hizdahr says but is cut off by Daenerys. "How many times do I have to say no before you understand." Hizdahr begins to shift uncomfortably. "I am sorry, Your Grace." "You may leave," Daenerys says. Hizdahr bows and leaves the throne room.

Daario walks towards Daenerys. "May I have a word, Your Grace." She sighs and nods. Clearly annoyed and irritated. "You should open the fighting pits," he says bluntly. "What?" She says in surprise. "My mother was a whore. She liked to drink pear brandy. The older she got, the less she made from selling her body, the more she wanted to drink. So one day when I was twelve, she sold me to a slaver she fucked the night before," Daario tells us. I never really understood the man but I am taken aback by what I am hearing. By the looks of it, the same goes for Daenerys. "Why?" She asks.