Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 33: Calls For Justice

Slaver's Bay

Elaena stretched her back muscles. The muscles were sore from sleeping on a ship. Each time she felt the ships swaying while lying on her bed, it caused her to tense her muscle to prepare for a fall. Even in her sleep, she does it as her muscles always feel a bit sore when she wakes. Elaena is very happy to see Alysanne in her element, enjoying every waking moment on her ship and the sea. Elaena would be satisfied with a room that doesn't move.

She exits her room and sees the small wooden corridor. One end leads to stairs going up to the main deck. The other end leads deeper into the ship where storage space could be found and where the crew slept. A small quiet yawn leaves her as she went upstairs. Alysanne said they're close to Meereen. It took them days to sail around Valyria and then more days to sail through the bay to reach Meereen.

It wasn't hard to know where the Targaryens were. Rumors and tales spread like wildfire through the lands as they conquered Slaver's Bay. In each city they took, they freed slaves. And she could feel the tension among the slaves in Volantis. They spoke in hushed tones about the silver liberators. And those that kept the peace were more worried about the restless slaves. Elaena does not know what will happen, but it isn't hard to see that blood will probably be spilled.

"Sis! Slept well I hope?" Alysanne says as she stepped down the wooden stairs that went to the stern castle. Elaena wouldn't doubt Alysanne was willing to sleep right next to the wheel. Just be closer when she wakes. You can say what you want about Alysanne, but she was a born sea person. Corlys would be proud of her. Just as she is.

"Well enough, but if I am honest it would be nice to have a room that doesn't move," Elaena says with a sigh, "Are we close?"

"Not far. A few hours at most. Baelor will shit his pants when he sees you. Or he better..." she says with the last part more of a threat.

"Alys, please... Let go of your anger. He has come to me at last. I do not want you threatening him. If not for him, do it for me."

Alysanne took a deep breath as she massaged her eyes. She still was rather angry with Baelor, which Elaena understood but at this moment it is over. Baelor chose Elaena. And that closes the chapter for her. Still, it is at these moments which make Alysanne special to Elaena.

Her strong and wilful sister shielded her through the years. Got her the strangest things from somewhere on Driftmark, or once from Pentos when she stole a ship. The sole person that was able to console her when Baelor joined the Kingsguard. There will always be a special place for her in Elaena's heart.

"Fine. For you," Alys relents.

"A rare sight. Alysanne the Explorer is being tamed by someone," Jeyne says with a chuckle.

"Careful, Jeyne. You are making me want to throw you overboard," Alysanne muttered irritated as she went back to the wheel. Her steps are more forceful than necessary. She soon fell back to her throne behind the wheel of the ship.

"You should be warned Jeyne. Push her enough and she may do it. But you're right as well. I am only one of a few that could 'tame' her," Elaena chuckled as they walked over the deck.

Many sailors do the chores of the chips. Cleaning the deck, making sure the sail catches the wind as much as possible, the man in the crow's nest looking around with sharp and critical eyes. It was full of activity, but there was always the spot near the front of the ship. A spot where they could sit and watch the surrounding seas. Elaena and Jeyne sat down on the crates and turns their attention to the water that lay in front of them.

It was a sunny day. Elaena noted it was often sunny here. The weather was warm and the air would probably be oppressive if it weren't for the coolness of the sea. Even if the weather was beautiful, the land could have been better. They sailed past Astapor not long ago and it was chaos there. Even Alysanne steered clear of it. Dark plumes rose from the city and many buildings looked to be in need of serious repairs. Elaena hopes it was not Baelor and the Targaryens that caused the destruction of the city. But she is not foolish enough to think they did have a role in it.