Chapter Twenty-One: Damage Control.
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~~~~(Point of view: Azrael Sanchez)~~~~
~~~~(Date: 275 AC)~~~~
I ordered the Khalasar to camp at a safe distance from the city, so as not to frighten the wise masters, although I believe they were already frightened when they saw a large Khalasar approaching.
With my order, the women got down from their camels and began to give them water and food, while others were busy cooking or setting up the tents.
For my part, I stood watching the city in the distance, thinking of a route to take now. With the astronomical amount of gold I could get off the menu, buying all the unsullied would not be a problem; however, I knew that the wise masters would not come to me at all, especially seeing that I had a Khalasar at my back.
Partly because they knew that if I decided to attack the city after buying the unsullied, it would be no problem for me, and without soldiers to protect the city with, they would die by my hand.
So I couldn't use Daenerys' plan, and I didn't want to use it, partly because it was too time-consuming and also because, unlike Daenerys, I had power, and I wasn't going to waste it.
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After a few hours, when the camp was set up, the horses and camels were released, along with the ravagers being put in the portable corral set up for these creatures.
As for me, I was in a tent set up by the furriers for me, in a meeting with the witches, devising a plan to take the city in the shortest amount of time and with the least amount of blood.
"My Khal, one step to take would be for some of my sisters to head to the city, and we would open the gates, thus making way for the Dothraki" a witch, younger than Valka, named Moria, addressed me.
While it was a good option, there was still something important missing: "What about the Unsullied? Even if we get through the gates, the fight with the Unsullied in the streets will be devastating."
Valka, taking the floor, moved closer to the table that was in the center of everyone. "My Khal, from what we have learned of the Unsullied, they follow the orders of those who own the whips; if we kill those men and gain control of them, the Unsullied army will be theirs."
"Then it is decided that, at nightfall, fifteen of you will go to the city, infiltrate it, learn who the owners of the whips are, kill them at the same time, and, only when you have all the unsullied secured, will you open the gates."
It wasn't a very elaborate plan, but it was the most effective plan to take the city in a single night, plus the witches could do it, judging by how Valka appeared right beside me at every turn without sensing her.
Besides, with their handiwork, I didn't have to spill blood—not much, mind you, so I gave the green light to the plan.
"Okay, this is how it will be done; with the light of dawn, we will enter the city."
With the plan ready, I exited the tent and found Qrano waiting outside. By now, my blood riders were in charge of relaying my orders to the entire Khalasar, with only two being with me at all times, taking turns with each other with the others.
"Blood of my blood, a small convoy is approaching from the city," he informed me as I climbed onto my horse, remembering to name it.
That got my attention; the only ones meeting me would be diplomatic messengers sent by the wise masters, so wanting to measure the waters, I made it clear what I wanted to Qrano; "Escort them to the camp square, I'll meet them there."
Nodding, Qrano rode off to do as I told him, while I made my way to the camp square, and knowing I had little time, I began building a large, circular wooden hut, large enough to leave an impression once the Astapori envoy arrived.
Supported by vine-covered columns and a high roof with its highest part made of red glass that provided an orange light inside the hut when the sun hit, plus large windows of the same colored glass and an opening large enough for four horses to pass through together. They made the hut a pleasant place.
When I had finished, I made a big armchair covered with cushions and put tables and a record player in a secluded part that began to play a soft melody.
After a few minutes, my blood riders arrived, who took seats on some chairs near my couch. As for my wolves, they lie around my stand, while I give them meat.
"It's already here." I suddenly heard a voice in my ear, causing me to almost drop the piece of meat on the floor.
Turning to my right, I saw Valka standing next to me, with a completely black veil covering her face, and not only was she there; but four others were standing behind my couch, wearing the same veil. Well, well, they looked like souls in sorrow with their obsidian black attire.
"You need to stop doing that; I might well hurt you if you catch me with something pointy in my hands," I said, getting a derisive laugh from her.
"My Khal, you of all people know that won't happen." Yeah, scoff, that woman didn't know how to keep her tongue still.
Looking at the entrance to the hut, I watched as a man came loaded on a palanquin, being carried by four slaves and being escorted by about eight unsullied.
The unsullied, with a precise and confident gait, walked alongside their master as he alighted from his transport with the help of his slaves, following him closely with their dead gaze, alert for danger.
As for the Astapori, he had the characteristics of one, with that abnormally broad nose, sunburned amber skin, and almost black brown hair, and he wore a Tokar, which made it clear to me that he was a free person, though judging by the ridiculous amount of perfume he wore, I had already noticed.
The man, sitting down in a chair given to him by a girl, went on to sit down and introduce himself: "Good day, respected Khal, my name is Ikhas Na Zoqaq, sent on behalf of the good masters of Astapor, to agree so that you and your Khalasar can be on your way."
I just kept feeding meat to the wolves, who almost snatched the pieces from my hands, swallowing them whole.
The man, thinking that perhaps I did not understand the fractured Valyrian he spoke, called a slave and told him to tell him the correct words in the Dothraki language to say.
"I understand your language, Astapori," I told him, deciding not to waste any more time with this. "You need not sully the Dothraki language by trying to speak it."
Ikhas surprised a little, spoke in a more confident voice now: "You speak Valyrian."
"Surprised?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and waiting for him to fill the silence that had formed.
Ikhas, observing me better, understood that I was not a native Dothraki. "You're not from Essos; your accent doesn't match anywhere on the continent, Westeros?"
Letting out a small laugh, I shook my head. "No, I come from a place much farther away."
"Oh," was all Ikhas replied to me, then clapped his hands.
With that, two slaves brought loaded a chest and, after setting it down in front of me, opened it, revealing that it was filled with gold.
"The wise masters offer ten more equal to these, along with five thousand horses, all provided you do not attempt to assault the inhabitants of Astapor."
Staring at him for a while, I stood up and gave an imperceptible nod to Valka. "Have you seen my carriages?" I asked, to which Ikhas nodded, "Have you seen the large, beautiful beasts grazing outside the camp? Have you seen the level of comfort my Khalasar has?" With each question, Ikhas nodded.
"Then you will know that I need nothing from you; I have no interest in attacking your city, so be at ease so that you may go, take your gold with you, and enjoy your life, for as the followers of R'hllor say, the night is full of terrors."
With that, I continued to enjoy the food and drinks the women had brought, as I watched Ikhas leave with his tail between his legs.
Valka, to whom I had beckoned, approached me and said, "Already, my sisters are ready to leave for the city; tomorrow you will receive news, and you will have a new bell to add to your silky smooth hair."
Nodding and purposely ignoring the last part, I continued chatting with my blood riders, knowing that tomorrow would be a difficult day.