-Chapter 44-
-POV Daenerys-
I gazed at the sea stretching out before me, its waves crashing against the coastal rocks. The salty smell filled the air, reminding me of the home I had never truly known.
My dragons circled above, their piercing cries cutting through the gentle murmur of the sea.
The arrival of Barristan Selmy had been unexpected, a former Kingsguard who presented himself to me in disguise, then revealed his true identity to save me from an attack on my life by the Undying Ones of Qarth.
'That vermin I thought I had eradicated'
He spoke of his devotion to my family and the guilt he felt for not being able to protect my brother.
His loyalty was sincere, I could feel it, and he would be a valuable asset in my quest for the Iron Throne.
But as I looked at the sea, my thoughts were elsewhere, in Astapor, the city of slavers, where the trade of human lives was common.
I had come with a clear intention, to buy an army, but the purchase of the Unsullied would forever be etched in my memory.
These slave warriors, stripped of their humanity, trained to obey without question, were reputed to be among the greatest and most ruthless soldiers in the world.
Their masters had shown me their "qualities" and "discipline," even going so far as to demonstrate their insensitivity to pain and fear.
'They aren't even afraid of dying, maybe it's a release for the slaves, a place where the masters can't reach them'
I felt an unparalleled anger grow within me, not only against the masters, but for the entire system that allowed such brutality and disdain for human life.
I had acquired 8,000 Unsullied in exchange for one of my dragons, but I couldn't let such evil continue. The scene that followed was both terrifying and magnificent.
My dragon had reduced the master to ashes, and the Unsullied, under my command, had overthrown their former oppressors. Astapor was now mine.
The city was rich, the coffers overflowing with gold, silver, and precious stones, and it was full of resources vital for the operation of my army, whether in food stocks, weapons, or even armor.
Astapor had granted me all the resources I needed to continue my campaign.
Looking at all I had accomplished, I couldn't help but think of those who currently occupied the Iron Throne.
The Lannisters, with their roaring lion and endless wealth, who were born in luxury, who had never known hunger, fear, or exile.
'Who never had to flee assassins sent by the usurper'
How could they understand the people of Westeros when they had never suffered?
And then there was this Ronnet Connington, whose fame and rumors were so great that they reached even my ears across the seas and oceans, a man who had apparently risen to power in record time.
'A man I would have liked to have at the foot of my throne'
The Lannisters and Connington might have titles and lands, but I had something they did not: the heart of the people.
I had freed slaves, overthrown tyrants, and brought hope to those who lacked it. And with my dragons by my side, nothing could ever stop me.
I knew the road ahead would still be long and difficult, but one thing was certain: I would not stop until I had reclaimed what was rightfully mine. And when I was seated on the Iron Throne, the Lannisters, Connington, and all the others would know that the last dragon had truly taken flight... if they were still alive by then.