[294 AC]
Following quietly behind the good-looking man that had introduced himself as a merchant and noble, but looked distinctly like a warrior, and his excessively beautiful female guard, Missandei wasn't sure if she should be happy about her new owner.
After having been taken from her home, she had learned quickly not to judge others based on their outside appearance. And while having to serve the obese Krasnyz sexually in all manners of perversion was a horror in itself, she was also clear on the fact that there existed worse.
In reality, the potential horrors she would have to endure under this new master were only limited by his imagination, should he reveal himself as a particularly cruel man.
"You are good with languages, aren't you?", a voice like aged wine sounded out in Missandei's ears, causing a pleasant shudder to run down her spine, before she realised how captivated she was by that voice alone.
Shaking off her slight daze, she answered with hesitation: "Y-yes, Master."
Stopping in his tracks and turning back towards her suddenly, Missandei was unable to stop herself from running into his chest, as she looked on fearfully, while stepping back hurriedly.
"F-forgive m-me, Lor-"
Her words came to an abrupt end as he gently lifted her chin so that her gaze was aligned with his.
Blazing fire meeting molten gold, Missandei was captivated by the inferno the man's eyes had turned into.
"I am no Master or slave trader, Missandei of Naath.", his first words enough to shock her, the young girl continued to listen, "I am Phenex Firestar, though those who I lead often times call me the Red God, and I came to Astapor not to buy Unsullied, but to conquer it and turn those calling themselves the Good Masters into ashes."
While she listened to his every word, the handsome man before her eyes lost all physical form, as his entire being turned into a storm of flames. Suddenly the figure of a massive fiery bird appeared before her, looking down at her with such majesty that her feet nearly gave out beneath her.
A moment later though, she returned to reality and found herself looking into the deep purple eyes of a man again.
"I took you with me as the Red Temple never hesitates to welcome those with great gifts, though if you wish, I will arrange for you to return home as a freed woman. The decision is yours, Missandei, though I will have to insist that you stay by my side until my business here in Astapor is finished.", Phenex announced, causing all kinds of emotions to sprout in the young girl's heart.
…
Drying herself off after having taken a short, but relaxing bath, Missandei couldn't help but let her fingers wander over the soft dark-blue silk gown that had been given to her, including the pair of silk panties, that was little more than an almost transparent-white piece of fabric with a sliver chain to hold them in place.
Such clothing was much more suitable for a noblewoman than a slave or even a former slave, like her.
And even though she knew that looking attractive was a detriment as a slave, as that would just mean unnecessary attention from her Master, Missandei couldn't help but pose in front of the large mirror, finding herself looking very attractive with her new clothing.
Her breasts were perfectly accentuated, the gown displaying a deep cleavage, while her derriere was hugged tightly by the dark-blue fabric, drawing attention to the delicious shape of her behind. Not to mention the arousing sight of her in nothing more than a piece of white silk that barely hid her cleanly shaven slit.
Missandei wasn't sure she should feel so comfortable, knowing a living god was in the room adjacent to the bathroom, being unsure about his true character and such. And yet, she felt herself wanting to believe the man, though she told herself it wasn't because of his otherwordly good looks, but because of what he represented as the Red God.
Taking a few deep breaths, Missandei calmed her fluttering heart, as she stepped into the main cabin of the ship, her hair unbound and still a tad wet.
Her gaze was almost immediately drawn towards the rather sizeable bed, where Phenex was laying and reading a book, wearing only a crude black tunic and linen pants.
"I had someone prepare some food, while you were bathing, in case you were hungry.", the man voiced out, giving her a slight smile, as he rose and approached a nearby table with several comfortable-looking armchairs, gesturing for her to follow suit.
"I am sure you have some more questions, so I thought I would give you the chance to ask them over a meal.", he added.
"T-thank you, my Lord.", Missandei managed to squeeze out, wholly aware that she was in the presence of a being she could not hope to understand, though her curiosity was equally roused by his invitation.
Their meal started out in relative silence, as Missandei found herself unable to voice her questions several times, before she finally managed to gather the courage to ask what was on her mind.
"W-why all this deception? I-if you are a god, couldn't you just free the people of this city with ease? Free all the people in Slaver's Bay?", she asked, her gaze settling on his features to not miss his reaction.
"I could.", Phenex replied simply, "But how fast do you think Astapor would be back to their old order with some tyrant trying to lord over the rest of the free people? The same goes for the rest of Slaver's Bay."
"Freeing the people is not enough. You should know this better than anyone else, Missandei. If you cannot protect yourself then your freedom is something that could be taken from you at a moment's notice."
"I plan to conquer Slaver's Bay and bring it under my rule, and this deception serves to reduce the lives lost in the process of conquering Astapor. And while I could conquer the city without any slave losing his life in the process, nothing is as valuable as the things you fight for yourself.", he ended.
Missandei didn't question further, unsure of the man's temper in front of her.
"I can see that there are more questions in your heart. You wonder what I hope to gain from this conquest, don't you?", Phenex asked, causing her to try and avert her gaze at having been found out. Though he prevented that, as he grasped her jaw gently and forced her to look at him.
Blazing eyes piercing into her golden ones, as he answered: "I have nothing to gain exactly because I am who I am. My heart cannot be swayed by wealth or power, as I simply have no desire for such. I do what I do not because I was born with a kind heart."
"I just decided to do good, Missandei of Naath. And that is all there is to it.", Phenex ended with a calm look, his light touch leaving her.
It was almost out of instinct that Missandei reached out and grasped his hand with her own, feeling the callouses on his fingers with her own soft hand.
Missandei didn't know if it were his words that emboldened her to do so or some other factor, but the warmth she felt through that simple contact caused those thoughts to turn into clouds and smoke.