Daeron
He had many questions for Ser Barristan. What does King's Landing look like? Who was his older brother like, or even about the Seven Kingdoms as a whole since the rebellion that destroyed his house and sent him and his siblings into exile?
"Ser?" He called and Ser Barristan turned to him, "Can I ask about my father or brother? Were they really what others have described." Barristan shifted slightly, he felt that the knight didn't want to answer his request. "It's fine. I can wait to know, besides we have to go and meet Kraznys." He added and got up from his seat. Barristan stepped in front of him, a pleading look in his eye, "What is it?" He asked and the Knight spoke truthfully.
"My King, please think about this. You don't need slave soldiers, I believe one or two of the great families will back you without question." That may be true, but so are the negatives to thinking like that as Jorah told him the other day.
"And what would they benefit? It would be their armies fighting on the field, only to believe we 'might' defeat the Lannisters and Baratheons and Starks and any other House that would sooner serve themselves than see me: the Mad Kings son on the Iron Throne." He said to the knight seriously, doubtful of the knight's beliefs as they were his beliefs before being told otherwise by Jorah.
"The Tyrells were still loyal to your father despite King's Landing being taken or Rhaegar dying on the field. House Martell is kin, by your cousins and Elia's marriage to your brother." Ser Barristan told him and he sighed as they departed the inn and caught Jorah talking to Kovarro, in that short time he gave entertainment to his Kingsguards words of counsel.
Would House Martell and Tyrell support him? One family is in a way tied to his own and another was given their position by Aegon the Conqueror. Then a darker thought crossed his mind, what if they don't? What if they see him as a way to get into the good graces of his enemies and sells him to Joffrey Baratheon, or one of the brothers that also want their nephew's power. His journey would end and so would his House, and he won't spit upon Dany's memory for a risky move.
"I will think about it," He whispered before turning to the entire group, "Now when we negotiate with Kraznys, intellect will be our most powerful ally." Jorah approached him, a concerned expression held on him.
"You believe he won't accept?" He was asked and he smiled.
"Yes, more than likely he will offer 2,000 at best, but I want them all. So, what I am going to offer is something he won't refuse. Just don't question me when we meet him."
They left for the meeting place, set on their roles to play. They entered the manse and was greeted by the woman he saw before, as pretty as she's been just yesterday. She was wearing a cloak today, and her hair smelled like it had been washed and the scent of lilac hung around her. He approached her with a kind smile on his lips, she still had no change in expression and he frowned once more, thinking of another tactic.
"My Lady. Good morning to you." He greeted and took her hand and placed a kiss on it, she flustered over the action and he smiles victoriously. "We are here to see Kraznys." He said and she smiled and gestured for him to follow her, he did so without so much a word.
He took a deep breath when they made it to the meeting place, Kraznys smirked and got up and speaking in his tongue. The girl then said it back to him.
"Master Kraznys would like to know how many Unsullied you wish to purchase." He smiled and stepped forward, looking the slaver in the eye.
"All of them, every warrior." Kraznys was told of this and he and his compatriots were shocked, they didn't think he would ask for them all, but he did. Kraznys recovered and spoke to which the woman recited back to him.
"There are eight-thousand Unsullied in Astapor. Is this what you mean by 'all of them'." He smiled smugly and nodded.
"Yes, all of them and the ones still in training." The woman told her master who scoffed with his companions sitting beside him, the two spoke and had the woman repeat them to her in the common tongue.
"Master Kraznys says they cannot sell half-trained boys, for if they fail in battle it will bring shame to all in Astapor." The woman said and he struck back like thunder with a response, he won't be denied.
"I will buy all or take none, many will fall in battle and I will need the boys to pick up their weapons and fight." He told them and again they said that he cannot afford them all.
"Master Kraznys says your ship will buy you 100 Unsullied, the gold you possess will buy 300 more, the two Dothraki you have with you will get you one more Unsullied." He rolled his eyes, does the slaver think him a fool. "Good master Kraznys asks how you intend to buy the remaining 8, 599 Unsullied." He looked above and saw the impoverished slaves, dirtied from the treatment they've been giving for years, for months, some even mere days. He brought his eyes onto Kraznys, smirking.
"I have dragons. You can have one if you wish, for all of the Unsullied." He offered, Jorah and Barristan stood silent but unsure, it made him remember just shortly ago that he was being barraged by both of them for his decisions.
Moments Before...
"My King! Dragons will win you the throne, not slave soldiers." Barristan said to him on the left, Jorah came at him from the left, "Aegon Targaryen
"Daeron, don't do this, a dragon is worth more than any army- " He cut the knight off with a glare, Jorah back up and folded his hands.
"You see, if I had made this offer when leaving you two in the dark then you would be questioning me in front of strangers. I will not have that." He bit back angrily, he won't be questioned in front of others and neither will he take such disobedience. "I have a plan, once we obtain the Unsullied completely. Watch out for the signal.
Moments After...
"Three dragons," Kraznys bargained and he shook his head.
"One." He told them, a wide smirk on his face.
"Two," Kraznys demanded, again he shook his head.
"One." He ended the bargain battle with a strong tone in his voice, to tell him and his friends he wasn't letting up.
Kraznys grunted and turned to speak to his friend, then turned to speak to the woman who spoke back to him.
"Master Kraznys says they want the biggest one." That can be arranged, he held his head high and spoke with complete genuine certainty.
"Done." He said and Kraznys nodded with a smile, smirking widely. "And her." He pointed to the woman, she looked surprised, "She can be your gift to me on a bargain well struck." He explained and the girl relayed this to Kraznys seemed hesitant but in the end, he urged the girl to go with him. They departed and almost immediately he stopped and turned to her, "We will be spending some time together, what is your name?" He asked her.
"Missandei, your grace." She uttered as they continued walking away.
"If I ever dishonor you in any way, you may go back to any family you may have. I will give you coin, guards and a ship of your choosing." He told her and she was surprised by the way he spoke to her as if she was a free woman and she was to him now. "Now, what Kraznys said about the Unsullied? Are they really obedient?" He asked Missandei and she nodded, her eyes avoiding any contact with his own.
"All question, all doubts have been taken from them. The Unsullied only follow orders, they will bend before they break." He liked that, a legion of warriors but soon they'll be free warriors, they won't be slaves when serving under him.
"All warriors doubt, however. That is why some die on the field of battle." He countered and she turned to him, finally and looked into his eyes.
"Valar Morghulis, your grace." He smiled and hummed, that is right in some aspects.
"All men must die, yes... Yet I am no man, I am a dragon."
He spent that night being with Daegon, he was his biggest dragon and will be traded for the army he is going obtain. His son looked at him, tilted its neck in curiosity. He smiled and handed the dragon some meat, the beast ate it without complaint and swallowed it whole after three bites.
"I hope you don't hate me for what I must do, but don't you fret your wings because we won't be apart for long." He cooed and the dragon made a sound, he was happy with what he could tell. "We're going home soon, home." He whispered as he rubbed Daegon's neck.
He slept easy that night, knowing he was going to succeed tomorrow.
Jorah
If Daeron withheld what he was going to do, then he might have been very opposed to what he offered the Master Kraznys and his companions. So would Barristan, but by the gods did Daeron put on a show. He made himself naïve to the Slavers deal and substituted his own for the entirety of the Unsullied army.
They woke early the next morning, he watched his King talking to Lady Missandei and she seemed interested in what he was saying. He smiled and remembered how Daeron would be before Viserys and Drogo died, his Kings heart would always belong to Daenerys but still, the young man flirted with many.
Maybe having Lady Missandei around will be a good distraction for Daeron. All the tragedies from Daenerys death, the massacre of people under him, the loss of Irri and the betrayal of Doreah. After today they will need ships, perhaps one of the other cities within Slavers bay or Volantis might have what they need.
"Ready?" He asked his King who nodded, they all set off then towards the large yard where 9,000 Unsullied stood and it looked a rather fine sight.
They were in large formations, all waiting to be called upon by they who holds the first whip. Daeron stood tall as he walked along towards where Kraznys, his dealers and some slave soldiers guarding them. Looking back he noticed Kovarro and Rakharo tugging along the crate carrying the dragon Daeron was handing over.
"Daeron never looked so composed, ready even." He stated lowly, Ser Barristan hummed in agreement.
"Aye, given the shortness of his hair he looks like his brother had. The people loved Rhaegar and would have died for him." He heard his fellow Kingsguard say solemnly as if the Battle of the Trident happened recently and if he were there then he would too.
"Rhaegar fought valiantly, it is true. Rhaegar fought nobly, this is also true. Yet unlike his older brother, Daeron will unite Westeros as it was before the rebellion: I believe in him. I will fight and die for him if needs be." He told Barristan and the older man nodded sharply, they will fight and die for their King.
Upon getting closer Kraznys began to speak, to which Missandei translated back to Daeron.
"The Master says they are untested and advises that you blood them early. There are many between here and there that are ripe for sacking," Kraznys said some more and Missandei translated it back, "Should you take captives, the Masters will buy the healthy ones and for a good price, and who knows for some of the boys you sell might be Unsullied in turn as all must prosper." Daeron looked at Kraznys with a hard stare before turning and going to the cage.
Many were in awe at seeing Daegon take flight, the creature thought to be long gone from the world and now reborn again. Daeron handed the leash handle to Kraznys who then hands the slaves whip to him. "Is it done, then? They belong to me?" Daeron asked and Missandei asked it again in Valyrian to Kraznys.
"Yes. You hold the whip. The Unsullied are yours." Missandei said to him. Daeron smiled and turned away from Kraznys, walking away whilst Daegon wailed for him to come back. Then his King spoke in the same tongue as Kraznys had been doing since they've arrived in the city.
"Unsullied!" Missandei turned sharply as he and Barristan smiled, "Forward march, halt!" Daeron commanded loudly, while Kraznyz struggled with the leash on Daegon.
"Tell the bastard his beast won't come to me, now." He watched Daeron turn back to Kraznys, his face darkened and serious.
"A dragon is not a slave." Kraznys was shocked that Daeron knows their tongue was agape.
"You speak Valyrian?" Daeron sharply responded to the question.
"I am Daeron Seaborn of the House Targaryen, of the Blood of Old Valyria. Valyrian is my mother tongue." Kraznys began to look frightened, and panic while he and even Missandei were smirking now, Barristan stood alert and hand upon the hilt of his sword, Daeron turned back to the Unsullied and rose the whip above his head, "Unsullied! Slay the masters, slay the soldiers, slay all who holds a whip! But harm no children, women or the old and break the collar of every slave in this city!" Not a moment later some slavers and their guards were killed, a battle had begun. Kraznys in desperation tried to relay orders.
"I am your master! Kill him! Kill him!" Daeron turned to Kraznys cries and grinned widely, "Kill him!" Was the last thing cried out by Kraznys.
"Dracarys!"
Kraznys was bathed in fire, his skin melting from his body and screaming in pure agony, soon the flames silenced him and he cried no more. The Battle of Astapor lasted little more than an hour or two before all slavers were bent or broken, Daeron himself slew a few of the guards whilst Daegon burned many of the attacking slave soldiers and slavers. He found Daeron resting on some stairs and went to him and helped him up by hand, the young man taking it gladly.
Daeron sheathed his blade and together they walked among the Unsullied, none had fallen and were back in marching formation in less than a half hour. Barristan found six horses for them to ride and he, Daeron, Barristan, Kovarro, Rakharo and the new member of Missandei saddled up. Daeron still carried the whip and held it high once more, then began to speak to them all loudly.
"Unsullied, for all your lives you were slaves. No more, you are free this day so give you a choice you can make as free men." Daeron began and cleared his throat to speak once more, "Any man who wishes to leave, may leave and no one will pursue you. I give you my solemn word but if you fight for me, you will do so as free men!" Daeron shouted and threw down the whip, to prove to those who have listened. Silence echoed until one man began tapping his spear into the dirt, then another and then thirty to a hundred until it was all he and they could hear. They are with Daeron, they will fight for him.
The sun began to set as the army left the burning city behind them, ash climbing the air as Vaeleris, Daegon and Wildfyre flew above them all, screeching into the sky like victorious conquerors.
Because they are, and Daeron proved that today.