Chapter 40: A Single Chance
~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 15 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Nearing Yunkai, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 299 AC)~~~
I've flown a day ahead of my armies, and I can see the large city of Yunkai in the distance. It's larger than Astapor, and its walls are greater. Rhaenys is flapping her massive wings, and we gain speed. She knows that I wish to show how futile it would be for Yunkai to fight.
"RHAAAAAAAHH!!!"
My she-dragon lets out a roar that shakes the skies and ground as we pass over the city of Yunkai. We hang low, and the frightened screams of the people below fill my ears.
On my will, Rhaenys turns and gains altitude. Dodging a Balista Bolt in the process. We slowly circle the city, and I see parts of their walls, and some of their tallest buildings have Balistas. Instead of continuing the demonstration, Rhaenys lands on a nearby rock formation.
She lowers her body and lets me off. I step forward, and I see something that turns my stomach. The soldiers and mercenaries of the city are placing slaves in front of them and the walls. Using them as shields. This part of the world is so uncivilized.
Rhaenys head slowly lowers, and she keeps it level next to me. Her giant violet eye looking at me, waiting for what we're going to do next. I reach out a hand and place it on her massive head. It's far larger than any carriage.
"Ruuuuh..."
A gentle purr greets me as I run my hand across her scales. My forces are a day or less out, and it'll only take a couple of hours for me to return to them.
But that's not why I'm here.
Before I take Yunkai, I want to give it a chance to surrender without any bloodshed. I want to give it the opportunity Braavos never got. When I burned Braavos, it was because they threatened my family with The Faceless Men and The Iron Bank supporting my enemies.
Yunkai hasn't done such transgressions. Other than what Varys said when Yunkai agreed to help pay The Faceless Men, that's not enough to burn the entire city.
Many would claim it's contradictory and hypocritical to do such things and think such ways. But they're not in my shoes. I'm expected to be a father, a King, and a Conqueror. I can't be all of those things without giving up something in the process.
No one can.
"ōregon adere, Rhaenys. Pōnta gīmigon skoros nyke jaelagon naejot gaomagon..."
I tell Rhaenys to hold fast. Saying that they know what I wish for. It takes about two hours in this hot heat, but they send out a group of slaves surrounding what I assume to be a man of nobility in the city.
Rhaenys and I make our way from our spot on the rock formation and fly down to meet them on a level area. All of Yunkai can see Rhaenys and me now. The sheer size and power of my she-dragon is enough to show it's a hopeless fight.
After a minute or so, the man makes it with his group of slaves. He's visibly shaking as he un-scrolls a small piece of paper. Rhaenys can sense the man's fear, and her head slowly lowers. Releasing a growl in the process.
"The wi... Wise Maesters... Of Yunkai wish to... Pay... Pay for the survival and preservation... Of... Of their way of life... They will provide... Shi... Ships, gold, and warriors..."
The man stumbles his words as his body continues to shake. He looks up from the ground and meets my eyes in hopes of some sort of response.
"SCRAAAAHHH!!!"
All he's met with is a roaring scream from Rhaenys. The man falls on his back, and I watch as he pisses himself. The slaves around him are becoming scared too. Some even turn and start to run back to the city.
I hold out my right hand, and Fate Breaker appears. I shove the tip of the blade into the ground and hold it in front of me. Rhaenys is behind me, and her lengthy neck and head are on my left side.
"Tell The Wise Maesters they have until my armies arrive to surrender. If they don't, all of them will die, and Yunkai will suffer."
As I've said before, I can't save everyone. And if I'm forced to use my dragon on Yunkai, I will. I want to free the slaves, but some might burn in the process.
The man stands and sprints as fast as his fat legs can carry him. The doors open for the man as he approaches, and I can see the leaders of the city on the other side waiting for him.
The Wise Maesters lock eyes with me as the doors slowly close, and I can see the hate, contempt, and loathing in them.
There is a large slam as the gate shuts, and there is nothing left to do but return to my armies. Rhaenys lowers her head and body, and I climb on. She spreads her wings as wide and as far as she can. An intimidation display for everyone watching.
"RAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
Black Dragon Fire blows out of her mouth and into the air as she lets out a final mighty roar. We lift off the ground as she flaps her wings, and we start heading back the way we came. The odds are low that they'll surrender, but maybe they'll have some sense.
I'm sure not all The Wise Maesters wish to die in Dragon Fire.
~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 15 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Carriage, Moving with Armies toward Yunkai, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 299 AC)~~~
"SCAAAAAA!!!"
A body-shaking roar comes from the distance ahead, and the setting sun nearly blocks out who it is. But Rhaenys is far too large to miss. The massive dragon lands a little off in the distance, and Rae gets off. Some soldiers go to meet him and escort him back.
Rhaenys takes to the sky and flies with the other three dragons. He's back, and I can tell from the way he's walking he did what he needed to do.
Once he reaches the carriage, the escort of soldiers leaves. He takes a seat next to me and closes the door behind him. It's just the two of us, and I can smell the scent of dragon on him. It's hard to resist him when he has such a smell.
"How did the meeting go?"
My question is quick to leave my lips, and I'm waiting on the edge of my seat. Before he can answer, Aly gets up from her side of the carriage and takes Rae's lap. Leaning against him and closing her eyes. He wraps her in a hug, and I watch his serious expression turn gentle.
My arms are filled with Jaehaerys. He's tuckered out since he had a rough afternoon.
"I gave them one chance. To surrender by the time my armies arrive. We'll likely have a Parley before any battles happen. I'm sure The Wise Maester will want to pay us in exchange for leaving them."
Yeah, and that's not going to work. Not only is freeing the slaves of Slavers Bay a goal of ours, but when we do. We have entire cities and people loyal to us. It's not just about freeing slaves.
It's about getting people who know us, and we know them.
We won't have that in Westeros when we eventually head West. Having all this support in the East means we'll be stronger when we start making our way West.
"When a battle does happen, do you think you'll use Rhaenys against Yunkai?"
I'm speaking as if Yunkai won't surrender.
Rae is capable of a lot of things. Terrible and cruel in the eyes of many. But I don't think so. The whole reason he burned Braavos was to weaken the enemies and keep us safe.
It was a brilliant strategic move.
"If they give me a reason to use Rhaenys. It won't be as easy since they've got Balistas built. I doubt they could hurt Rhaenys. The bolts aren't even as big as a horse. But Raevor, Vaelor, and Rhaegal might be at risk. They're not as big as Rhaenys."
Seems our enemies are starting to prepare for dragon attacks. There have been moments in Targaryen history where such weapons have taken down dragons, but it's always been rare. It's challenging to hit a dragon where it's vulnerable.
By now, Aly is asleep in Rae's arms, and he leans back and brings his daughter into his chest. Kissing the side of her head in the process.
My heart melts a little.
"But either way, Yunkai will be ours in the end."
He finishes speaking now that he's relaxed. I stand up and make my way to the crib we have in our spacious carriage. I place Jae down and make my way over to my brother.
Taking a seat right next to him and leaning into his form.
"We've come a long way, brother... But we've still got a long way to go..."
A light chuckle escapes his lips...
"Yes, we do, my Dragoness..."
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