296 AC
The winds from Slaver's Bay whispered of change. The great cities—Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen—no longer bore the chains of their former masters. Their streets echoed with the steady march of Unsullied boots, and their skies were darkened by the shadows of dragons. The world had shifted, and at the heart of this transformation stood Jon Snow—no, Aemon Targaryen now—the Dragon Reborn.
But the fires of conquest had long since cooled. Now came the challenge of rule.
Jon stood atop the Great Pyramid of Meereen, his gaze sweeping over the city below. The sun cast long shadows across the red-bricked streets, illuminating the scars left by fire and blood. From this vantage, Jon could see the fruits of his labor—the order he had imposed, the fear he had cultivated, and the foundations of a new empire being forged beneath his watchful eye.
Two years had passed since the fall of Meereen. Two years of iron rule, ruthless reform, and quiet, calculated transformation. The man who had once been a bastard of Winterfell was now a king in all but name—a dragonlord whose dominion stretched across the heart of Slaver's Bay.
But the cost of power was high, and Jon bore its weight with grim determination.
The Iron Rule of Slaver's Bay
The first months after Meereen's fall were marked by swift, uncompromising action. Jon had learned from the mistakes of those who had ruled before him—hesitation bred dissent, and mercy invited rebellion. The slaver lords who had survived the initial conquest were rooted out and executed, their wealth seized to fund Jon's growing empire.
But Jon understood that fear alone could not sustain his rule. The economy of Slaver's Bay was deeply entwined with the institution of slavery, and dismantling it too quickly would plunge the region into chaos. Instead, Jon introduced a series of calculated reforms designed to weaken the foundations of slavery while maintaining the appearance of stability.
Slaves were allowed to purchase their freedom, a concept previously unheard of in the region. Harsh penalties were imposed on slavers who mistreated their "property," and the children of slaves were granted limited rights, sowing the seeds of future change. The slave markets remained open, but under strict regulation, their influence slowly eroded by Jon's reforms.
Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen were unified under Jon's banner, their individual identities subsumed by the dragon's shadow. The Unsullied enforced his laws with unflinching precision, their presence a constant reminder of Jon's authority. The cities' economies flourished under his rule, their wealth funneled into the construction of new infrastructure and the strengthening of Jon's military might.
But beneath the surface, tension simmered. The former slaver elite resented Jon's reforms, their power slipping through their fingers like sand. The freedmen, while grateful for the changes, remained wary of their new master's true intentions. But none dared to oppose him—not while dragons soared above their heads and the Unsullied patrolled their streets.
The Growth of the Dragons
Jon's dragons had grown alongside his empire. Ancalagon, once a fearsome beast, had become a creature of unimaginable power. His black scales shimmered like molten obsidian, and his wings blotted out the sun as he soared above Slaver's Bay. The younger dragons—Rhaegal, Meleys, and Silverwing—had also matured, their strength and ferocity rivaling that of their elder sibling.
The bond between Jon and his dragons deepened with each passing day. Through their eyes, he saw the world from above, a tapestry of flame and shadow. Their power was his power, their fury his weapon. Together, they were unstoppable.
But with their growth came new challenges. The dragons' appetites were insatiable, their presence a constant strain on the region's resources. Managing them required not just strength, but wisdom—a balance Jon had learned to maintain with careful precision.
The Dragon and His Woman
Amidst the chaos of conquest and the burden of rule, Jon found an unexpected solace in Missandei. The young woman, once a slave and translator, had become his confidante, his advisor—and eventually, his lover.
Their relationship had begun with mutual respect. Missandei's sharp mind and keen insight proved invaluable in navigating the complexities of governance. She understood the intricacies of Slaver's Bay's politics and culture, her knowledge guiding Jon's reforms and strategies.
But as the months turned into years, their bond deepened. Missandei's quiet strength and unwavering loyalty became a beacon amidst the darkness of Jon's rule. She saw the man beneath the armor, the heart that still beat beneath the dragon's shadow.
One night, as the fires of Meereen flickered against the night sky, Jon took Missandei into his arms. Their union was not born of passion alone, but of shared purpose and mutual understanding. She became more than his assistant—she became his partner, his anchor in a world of fire and blood.
Missandei's presence tempered Jon's ruthlessness, her counsel a voice of reason amidst the clamor of conquest. Together, they navigated the treacherous waters of rule, their bond a testament to the strength found in unity.
The Transformation of Slaver's Bay
By the end of two years, Slaver's Bay had been irrevocably transformed. The cities of Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen were no longer symbols of Ghiscari pride and slaver dominance. They had become the pillars of Jon's burgeoning empire, their wealth and power fueling his ambitions.
The streets of Meereen buzzed with activity, the markets thriving under the new regulations. The former slave markets had been repurposed into trading hubs, their influence slowly eroded by Jon's reforms. The Unsullied maintained order with ruthless efficiency, their discipline ensuring the stability of Jon's rule.
Infrastructure projects flourished—new roads connected the cities, facilitating trade and communication. The harbors were expanded, their docks bustling with ships carrying goods from across Essos. The wealth of Slaver's Bay flowed into Jon's coffers, funding the construction of new fortresses and the training of additional troops.
But beneath the surface, the scars of the past remained. The people of Slaver's Bay, though outwardly compliant, harbored a quiet resentment. The former slaver elite plotted in the shadows, their influence diminished but not entirely extinguished. The freedmen, while grateful for their newfound rights, remained wary of their dragonlord's true intentions.
Jon knew that his rule was not unchallenged, but he welcomed the tension. It kept his enemies in check, their fear a constant reminder of his power. He ruled not with love, but with respect—and that, he had learned, was far more enduring.
The Dragon's Reflection
Jon stood once more atop the Great Pyramid, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun dipped below the waters of Slaver's Bay, casting the world in hues of gold and crimson. Ancalagon soared above, his roar echoing across the city, a living testament to Jon's dominion.
Beside him, Missandei rested her hand on his arm, her presence a quiet comfort amidst the weight of his thoughts.
"You've changed this place," she said softly, her eyes reflecting the fading light. "You've changed me."
Jon turned to her, his expression unreadable. "And it's changed me."
The world beyond Slaver's Bay remained unaware of the dragon that had risen in the East. But Jon knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. His ambitions stretched beyond the shores of Meereen, beyond the borders of Essos.
The game of thrones was far from over.
And Aemon Targaryen was ready to claim his destiny.