Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 18: Ser Barristan The Bold

Astapor

"The Unsullied have stood here for day and night with no food nor water. They will stand until they drop. Such is their obedience," a beautiful dark-skinned slave girl 'translates' for Jaehaerys, Daenerys, and the two knights.

Jaehaerys was invited by Master Kraznys mo Nakloz to see a 'sample' of the Unsullied. As they were walking through the streets, the master explained about the capabilities of the Unsullied, their obedience to the point they will die for you. Even hearing about such a thing gives a sense of how cruel it must have been to become an Unsullied.

Their walk soon came to an end when they entered a small plaza facing the sea. There are rows of Unsullied that obediently stood there without saying a word. They look lifeless almost, like a body that functions without thinking anymore. These poor men. Daenerys looks at them too with a neutral face, but her eyes tell she shares the opinion of Jaehaerys. The only one that truly gave nothing away was Baelor.

"Sounds very promising, good master. I am not too familiar with their capabilities. What can they do and how are they trained?" Jaehaerys asked while withholding his own opinions.

The master was not pleased by how much Daenerys and Jaehaerys asked. He complains about how hot the day was and how tiresome it is to deal with such customers. It was an excellent suggestion by Daenerys to not let them know that they spoke Valyrian. Even Baelor was ordered to not let them know. The slave girl started to explain the training after Kraznys says to explain to the two Targaryens what wanted to know.

"They begin their training at five in the morning. Every day, they drill from dawn to dusk until they have mastered the short sword, the shield, and the three spears. Only one boy in four survives this rigorous training. Their discipline and loyalty are absolute. They fear nothing," the girl explains.

"Even the bravest men fear death," Jorah chimes in. Baelor glanced at him as he shook his head.

"I do not fear death when I fought in the war, Ser Jorah. If this is truly their training, then I am certain they fear nothing," Baelor interjects.

"Hmm, I believe it. Is there more to know of their training?" Jaehaerys asks.

During the whole conversation, it was translated to Kraznys by the girl. Kraznys kept a gaze on the Westerosi with a frown as he tried to keep up with what has been said. At first, he was displeased by Jorah, but as soon as Baelor countered it was replaced by a smirk and nodding in approval.

"The Good Master is pleased with the opinion of the good knight. The training of the Unsullied includes that an Unsullied must go to the slave marts with a silver mark, find a newborn, and kill it before its mother's eyes. This way it is made certain there is no weakness left in them," the girl explains.

"How many are for sale?" Jaehaerys asks.

The master show eight fingers, eight thousand Unsullied. Horrid... Eight thousand babies were killed. Jaehaerys can't imagine something crueler. How many have been killed...? He isn't sure if he even wants to know the answer to it. Jaehaerys saw it in Daenerys as well, she wants to change it. And change it they will, Jaehaerys decided.

"I will discuss it today and give my answer tomorrow. Does that suit the Good Master?" Jaehaerys says. The girl translates and the master gave his answer quickly after it.

"Yes. He does implore you to make sure it is as quick as possible. Many buyers are interested in procuring Unsullied," the girl says. They soon leave the grounds and leave Westerosi to their own devices. The four of them were left to themselves as they walked through the city.

"Eight thousand babies... What a horrible thing," Daenerys says as she held Jaehaerys' arm. He strokes her arm to comfort her as he nods along with every word.