Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 32: Buying Time

Meereen

Jaehaerys strokes his chin in thought. Fingers moving through silver hair that has grown into a beard. Not as full as Jorah's or as impressive as his dead father, but visibly present. A deep breath leaves him as he leans on the table placed in the Council chamber. Golden rays of the runs land on the leather map of Slaver's bay as his eyes land on the name Yunkai.

It is becoming a thorn in his side. As of yet, nothing suggests they will move against them, but they gather forces to move south. To Astapor. The masters of Yunkai will win too as they have the means. Their city was taken just as Astapor, but in a much less destructive way. Astapor will fall to them.

"Yunkai is asserting their power of the Bay," Jaehaerys thinks aloud.

"For what purpose? It gives them more land, but Astapor is not in any shape or form a threat," Dany says in return.

"It gives them more dominance and prestige. They may win the favours of those that wish us harm," Jaehaerys says with a heavy sigh, he walks to his desk and picks up a book. A book about the histories of the Free Cities. The very one Daenerys bought as a gift in Vaes Dothrak. Its binding was damaged from its long journey, and pages were turning yellow, but it's still in good confusion considering.

"Slavery. The systems run far and wide," Jaehaerys explains, holding the book up for Daenerys to see, "The Free Cities. All are deeply invested in the Slave trade. Volantis, Lys, Tyrosh, Myr, all have more slaves than free men. And the key piece in this trade is Slaver's Bay. All slaves pass through these cities. The cornerstone. We try to take the stone away, Dany. If we succeed, it all falls to pieces."

"What are you saying? The world will wage war on us?"

"I don't know. But the world will certainly watch. We need to get Yunkai to surrender to our vision. It may prevent any further violence if we do."

Dany took a sharp breath while Jaehaerys sat back down. The breath she took soon left her again as leans back in the comfortable chair. Her hands stroke her belly as she thinks. Taking down Yunkai without escalation. A daunting and almost impossible feat, she thought.

"We could send someone to negotiate."

"Negotiate...?" Jaehaerys mused, "Hmm. We can't send just anyone. It must be a local person with enough reputation. No one else could convince them."

"I see, anyone you know? I have not spoken to those that were of noble blood. Only former slaves and poor men. Perhaps someone among the partitioners?" Dany asked.

"Well, there was Hizdar zo Loraq. Among the nobles I spoke with, he seemed the most honest one. We could send him."

"Perfect. Then we'll-" Dany was interrupted as Baelor stepped inside the council room. It was a pleasant open room along with all the necessary maps, accounts, and refreshments for Dany and Jaeh to think. As Baelor stepped inside, the two turn their attention to him.

"Your Grace, Daario wishes to speak with you," Baelor informs them. Jaehaerys and Daenerys shared a look and with the brief contact between them, they knew what to do with Daario.

"Send him in, please," Dany says.

A quick nod from Baelor and in a minute Daario entered the room. He seems in a good mood, but somehow restless. Jaehaerys can imagine what his request would be. The captain always struck him as a man of action. Someone that seeks out dangers and aims for foolish heights. Still, he has his uses.

"Your Majesties!" Daario greets them cheerily. Baelor entered with him and stood vigilantly in the room. Eyes following Daario's every move. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything important. There is a little matter I'd like to discuss with you."

"And what may that be, Daario?"

"A mission. A fight. Whatever you have available. There must be more I and my men can do than patrol the streets. They are paid well and are grateful, but laziness and inaction dull them. I wish to keep them sharp."

"I see, well, I have just the thing for you, Daario. Come, I want to show you something," Jaehaarys says as he motions for him the approach the table, the map of Slaver's Bay sprawling over the dark wooden table.

"Yunkai had turned against us. We plan to send an envoy to them and offer them peace and a place in this new world. However, there is an obvious chance they will refuse. I can't spare any Unsullied as they are needed to deter any enemies from taking Meereen. And they keep the peace which still is broken at times. So, I was planning on sending you. Go with a man called Hizdar zo Loraq to Yunkai. Let Hizdar negotiate a peace settlement. Do they refuse, you may take the city. But remember. Peaceful means first."

"And I assume you wish for me to keep an eye on this Hizdar? Or do you trust him?"

"We do not," Dany spoke as she looks at Daario, "But we do trust him enough to negotiate with Yunkai. It would be appreciated if you kept an eye on him."

"Very well. It will be done," Daario says with a smile that borders on a smirk, "I will not disappoint!"

"Good. I am uncertain where this Hizdar is, ask Missandei if she knows. Good look, Daario."

Daario soon left with a bit more energy in his step and a smile adorning his face. Why he would be happy, Jaehaerys didn't know. As long as he does as they say, he can be as happy as he wants to be.

"Well, that settles that. If they fail, we can always retake the city by force. But we should prepare for the worst."

"Worst? You wished to stop the war but you tell me now that it is unavoidable!?"

"I do not know, Dany. This will give us time to at least bolster our forces, and prepare the city for any possible reprisals. Yunkai is just one city. There are dozens out there that run on slavery. Volantis, Myr, Lys, Qarth... dealing with the closest city will give us time. But the other cities will not just sit and watch. They will act in one way or another."

"I... I see. Then we will. We shall see what the future brings," Daenerys says with a sigh, a complicated and fearful expression forming on her face.

"What's wrong? Do not fear the future. We will not fall. Dany, they can never defeat us. Not in this age."

"Why? We only have twelve thousand men, Jaeh. How do we fight several large kingdoms with twelve thousand men? That- oh."

Jaeh smiles as moved a chair next to her, sitting down and taking her hands to squeeze them gently. His gaze went up again as he looks at her.

"Dragons conquered Westeros. Conquered the whole of Essos. We need time to train them and to let them grow into fierce and unstoppable dragons. If they're foolish enough to wail against us, we will burn them to ash. We will bring them fire and blood."

"Fire and blood," Dany breaths as she squeezes his hands back, a slightly bigger smile on her lips as she continues to look at him, "Shall we take a walk through the gardens? Enough talk of battles, wars, and death. I want to enjoy you, my belly, and some peace."

"As you wish, my queen."