𝐒𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍 ( 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬. )

chapter ten.

( ACT II; the age of the dragon. )
⟵ ◊ ⟶
chapter 10: dawning troubles and desires.

VAEGON'S heart pounded as he watched the freed slaves of Yunkai file through the city gates in quiet droves. He wasn't sure if it was the excitement of his victory or the sheer gratitude he felt towards being able to free people from such harsh lives, but he felt immense pride in seeing his efforts to free slaves come to fruition after taking the city. He hoped such efforts would help gain support when they returned to Westeros, where slavery had been banned for centuries. Freeing enslaved people was a noble act in itself. Seeing them leave behind the chains they once wore was an elating experience.

Standing atop a rocky outcropping that overlooked Yunkai's gate, Vaegon waited with his inner circle for the freed slaves to venture from their tribulation at whatever discretion they felt was necessary. The people were tentative and slow to exit as their trek into the free world brought a somberness. Rhaellor, Haelyx, and Drokar perched on the edge of the rock at their feet while remaining dutifully quiet and observant, their heads cocking every so often as they watched.

The former slaves looked around with meek expressions as if they feared the outside world they'd never truly been able to experience. It made Vaegon's heart falter, knowing this was their first taste of freedom. His desire to right any wrong he could possibly carry out swelled in his chest the longer he witnessed their efforts. Freeing the enslaved on their journey had been Daenerys' wish, but Vaegon had also grown to find joy in it. Justification for the innocent was a smart decision on his part for when he would reclaim the Iron Throne, let alone a liberating feeling that he'd done something good.

At his side, his sister watched with a slight smile, her violet eyes filled with a glimmer of emotion as she looked ahead. The wind gently tossed around the loose strands of her silver hair that were not secured in the braids on her head. Her happiness made Vaegon even more pleased, whether they faced tension between them or not. Regardless, he loved her and always would, and seeing her joyfully was elating to him.

Despite the excitement, Vaegon was worried the slaves of Yunkai would retaliate against being freed as they were treated far better than those enslaved in Astapor, he'd been told. Slavery was slavery to him, yet he knew these people didn't think the same as he did. He didn't want to face the possibility he may have been fighting for a people who wished to stay in chains. Part of him wanted to allow them to do whatever they pleased with themselves, but he knew without order in Yunkai, the city would likely crumble and fall back into the hands of the slavers.

"They're weary," Daenerys noted quietly as they watched them file out. Her brow furrowed as she watched.

"They've likely not known freedom in their lives, my princess," Daario said at her side, hand resting on the pommel of his sword as it always did. "The foreign concept of personal liberty is expected to be daunting."

The crowd stopped just before the line of Unsullied that stood between the Targaryens and the slaves. They looked up wearily, silent as can be.

Vaegon directed his attention to where Jorah, Raina, and her Northern guard stood, the three northerners offering nods of encouragement. Looking back to Daenerys, he motioned for her to step forward with him with a small wave. Once the two stood at the edge of the outcropping behind their dragons, they waited. Vaegon tried to find the words to have Missandei translate, but he found his tongue-tied. He wasn't sure what to say to these people he was so entirely out of touch with.