Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 19: Bringers of Justice

Astapor

Both Targaryens walk through the streets of Astapor. Each of their gazes shows their discontent about the practices they have witnessed in Astapor. Luckily, most of them are hidden away behind their neutral gazes. Even so, one can see that they are not of Astapor as those that live here show no remorse, thought, or feelings of any disapproval.

"How barbaric can one be?" Jaehaerys asks as he watches the many crucified slaves. Daenerys looks equally disgusted as she sees them, even holding the arm of Jaehaerys tighter to coney her feelings to him.

"These poor people..." she mutters, "Why would they do such a thing?"

"It serves as a warning, princess. To dissuade any slave from doing whatever these slaves did," Barristan answers.

"These people have been sentenced to death... Their conditions are poor and even with help, they will most likely die," Baelor notes as he inspects them.

"Leave this place, Your Grace," Barristan starts to say as they watch Daenerys walk up to one to try and give water. But the male slave refuses. 'He rather wants to die, it seems,' Jaehaerys thinks to himself.

"Leave tonight, I beg you," Barristan says as he watches Daenerys before looking at Jaehaerys.

"No. There are things to be done here. One of which is gaining an army," Jaehaerys says as they continue to walk.

"How many wars have you fought in, Ser Barristan, Ser Baelor?" Jorah asked. Baelor sighs as he glanced at Jorah.

"One," Baelor answers

"Three," Barristan answers.

"Have you ever seen a war where innocents didn't die by the thousands?"

Baelor shook his head as a soft "no" was muttered. Even Barristan had to say that he has never seen it. Thousands always die. Soldiers, common folk, nobles, and who stand in the way of an army or where battles are fought. Men, women, and children all die in a war in one way or another.

"I know what war means," Jaehaerys says with a voice conveying his own feelings. Strained and irritated at the fact it is always innocents that suffer the most. No matter what one does.

"Then you would know that the Unsullied do not rape, pillage, or kill the innocent. If you buy them, they will only kill who you order them to kill," Jorah says.

"Do you disagree, Ser Barristan?" Daenerys asks as he glanced at him.

"When your brother Rhaegar led his army into battle at the Trident, men died for him because they believed in him, because they loved him, not because they have been bought at a slaver's auction," Barristan explains.

Daenerys furrowed her brows together as she listened carefully. Even Jorah glanced at him as he spoke, probably due to his own past where fought not because he believed but because he was paid. Baelor only let out a breath as he knows it. He was there after all.

"Ser Baelor and I fought beside the last dragon on that day, Your Grace. We bled beside him," he finished.

"Rhaegar was a great man or so I have been told. I do not remember him very well, but I know he was kind to me. But you are wrong, Ser, he was not the last Dragon," Jaehaerys says as both Daenerys and Jaehaerys look at him with faces filled with their own resolve. They are dragons and prove it they will.

The group continued as they enter the headquarters where deals and trade of significance is being transacted. It probably is more like a place to gather and talk about all kinds of trade. At least that was what Jaehaerys suspects as he watched many traders and slavers coming and going. Soon enough they met the Kraznys and another master in a small plaza. The translator girl from before is present again. 'Translating' to the Targaryens and her masters.