On the twenty-fourth day of the Fourth Moon, the 5000 Unsullied of Dragonport, who were previously under the command of Baros, were given to Rhaenys Targaryen.
In the presence of their most trusted people, inside the newly renamed Pyramid of Dawn, Rhaenys set them all free, burning the Whip with her fire magic right in front of their eyes.
She gave them a choice to become the Free Citizens of Dragonport, but Unsullied could never truly be Free.
Trained since they were young, indoctrinated with the need to have a Master, they could not even imagine a life without one.
So, when she asked them to follow her if they wished and submit themselves to her for the rest of their life, they bent their knees to her and took their Oath.
As their Master, she then gave them their New Orders, and the Soldiers returned to their new posts right as the morning sun brought light to the world.
The citizens of Dragonport never learned that the Unsullied in the City no longer followed the "Whip" but had submitted themselves to a Princess for the rest of their lives.
Later, in the morning, right before noon, the Targaryens met the envoys of the Summer Isles, who had come to the Dragonport together with the Merchant and Sailor, Jaremy "Jerry" the Black Hand.
Azaerys still had his Knight working in the dark and disguised as a Merchant.
No one ever learned that it was Jaremy and his men who had killed the guards on the Walls and opened the Gates that led to the sacking of the City.
He and his sailors were held as temporary captives with the rest of the Merchants in the Town, and he was one of the last Merchants to leave Dragonport with the exiles on board his fleet.
And ever since the fall of New Ghis, he was on the Summer Isles.
"Jerry!" Baros laughed when he saw his "Merchant Friend" enter the Great Hall and bow to the Lord Ostaryen and the Lady Ostaryen, who were sitting on their throne.
The Knight enthusiastically shared a hug with the famous Black Hand and then expressed his gratitude that he had come here and accepted his invitation.
"Lord Ostaryen, Lady Ostaryen, our Princes and Princesses send their regards to you. They express their desire to visit the Dragonport and see your beautiful Beasts with their own eyes," The envoy, who was a beautiful lady, brown of skin, five and ten feet tall, less than twenty years old, and who was wearing a red dress with a cape of colourful feathers, charmingly spoke.
Rhaenys instantly raised her brow at the accent and smirked in her heart as she sensed the woman's attempt to charm her brother.
There were men too in the delegation, some older than her, and yet she had stepped forward and spoken.
And their postures were very respectful...
"I am honoured that you have personally come to see me, Princess Xasaya Qo," Azaerys stood up from his seat, and the Envoys of Summer Isles, as well as Ser Jaremy and his trusted Vice-Captains, were shocked when they heard the words.
His Hidden Knight was not shocked that he had seen through the truth of the Princess. He was shocked that he had been fooled into believing that she was just a member of a branch of Qo.
Xasaya Qo's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly contained her shock and charmingly smiled as Lord Ostaryen took her left hand and planted a kiss on her knuckles.
When her eyes landed on his ethereal features under the hood and that perfect smile, her body trembled.
Black hair with streaks of Platinum, the same as his sister, but eyes unlike hers. Eyes unlike she had ever seen before.
They were not indigo or lilac, not exactly violet either, but purple, hauntingly purple.
"I never expected Lord Ostaryen to be as handsome as the Dragonlords of the tales. You put every man in Lys and those Old Blood hidden behind the Black Walls of Volantis to shame..."
The Targaryen King laughed at her words, and atop the throne, Rhaenys giggled as well.
"You disrespect my brother by comparing him to them, Princess." She stood up from the throne and gracefully stepped down, eventually coming to stand by Azaerys' side and hugging his left arm.
"My apologies," Xasaya charmingly said as she bowed her head, and then her curious eyes glanced between the pair of siblings.
"It's fine," Rhaenys gently said and then invited her and the people behind her to an early lunch.
Even "Jerry" was invited, and he joined them at the table with his two Vice-Captains.
Baros was at the table as well, but all of them mostly kept quiet and only spoke when they had to express their thoughts on the trade agreements.
However, for most of the meal, the guests were distracted by his handsomeness when he finally took off his hood.
And one thing they noticed was that he was young. Perhaps, only twenty years old.
The Summer Islanders were surprised when they learned about his plans of opening a Shipyard on the Southern Harbour of Dragonport, having recruited the services of a Shipbuilding Guild from Asshai for the next ten years.
Later, when they moved to the Council Room, Azaerys finally informed them why he had written to them.
"The Shipyard's construction is already underway and will be completed by the end of the year. Starting next year, Dragonport will be building its own unique Warships, Galleys, and Carracks. We don't need your help with the ships we are going to put for sale, but we do need your help with our private Fleet. We need the Red Oak for the Keels and Stems of our unique Warships and some Bloodwood as well."
As soon as they heard that he wanted two rare hardwoods of their Islands, they apologetically smiled.
"We no longer trade our hardwoods, Lord Ostaryen," Princess Qo reminded him.
"Not even for a rare Pine Wood and a rare Ash Wood?" He smiled as they all curiously looked at him.
"How rare?" She asked, raising her brow.
"Best Pine for creating masts for your Summer Ships, and you will like our Ash Wood to make arrows for your fabled Goldenheart Bows," He smiled. "The woods are on the way to Dragonport and will arrive in two days. You can make your decision after inspecting them."
"How many ships do you plan on building with Red Oak and Bloodwood?"
"Three hundred and thirty over the course of the decade, larger than the Galleys. Don't worry. I will not make you cut down all your rare trees. We only need the wood for the Keels and the Stems."
She nodded her head and then curiously looked at the Bows that the Kharzik Guards at the door were carrying.
"Marro," Seeing her interest, he signalled to one of the guards, who immediately stepped forward and bowed to him. "Show the Princess an Ash Wood Arrow."
The man immediately took one out of the quiver over his left shoulder and presented it to Xasaya.
The Princess and the two envoys on either side of her curiously inspected it, admiring the craftsmanship, and seeing her growing interest, the Targaryen King smiled.
"Would you like to try them?"
"Yes," Xasaya nodded and quickly stood up to follow him and Rhaenys to the Training Field behind the Pyramid of Pride.
On Azaerys' order, several wooden dummies with breastplates were placed as targets at varying distances.
One of the guards who had come with the Princess handed her the Goldenheart Bow and the quiver, and she quickly got into position.
Summer Islanders were brilliant Archers, but having seen the Kharziks, Rhaenys was not too impressed by Xasaya's skills.
She was very good. Much better than her and almost as good as Azaerys, but in front of Laeha and Laena, her skills paled. Her skills were mostly about the Bow in her hand.
Once Xasaya tested her homemade arrows, she accepted the quiver from Marro and shot several Ash Wood Arrows on the dummies she had not targeted before.
Even one of the envoys, an Old Man with ebony skin from the House Xho, showcased his skills with the bow.
Azaerys did not walk with them as they went over to check the damage on the dummies, but when they returned, carrying the arrows they had pulled out, he knowingly smiled.
"Are you interested in our Ash Wood now?"
"We are," answered Xasaya Qo. "However, we will wait to inspect the wood to understand its true value. The House of Qo will give you an answer before we take our leave, but Old Tal Xho needs to go back and consult his Prince first."
"That's fine."
"Does Lord Ostaryen have an interest in Archery?" She charmingly asked, offering her Goldenheart Bow for a try.
"I would rather not embarrass myself in front of you," He laughed, shaking his head.
"Please," She requested, and the Targaryen nodded as he accepted the bow from her hand.
After testing the string and the draw, he got into the position and drew an Ash Wood Arrow.
With a whizz, it hit the mark on the dummy that was placed a hundred paces away. And the subsequent four arrows landed within a couple of inches around it.
"I was expecting you to embarrass yourself, My Lord." Xasaya teased him, letting out another charming giggle. "You are good with the bow."
"But not as good as Old Tal," he commented.
The man laughed at the compliment.
"We are famous for our skills in Archery, My Lord. Every child born in our lands has a talent for it. It's in our Blood."
"Certainly," He smiled and laughed in his heart when he caught his sister rolling her eyes at the pride the Summer Islanders took in their Archery.
He was certain that if they stayed there longer, she would order Marro to humble these people down, so he kept the heart of his guests and led them back to the Pyramid of Pride.
"Why do you hide your face from your people, My Lord?" The Qo Princess curiously asked him.
"It adds to the mystery," He smiled, and she giggled, even though she knew it was an excuse and that he did not want to answer her.
When the guests were guided to their room, Rhaenys, who was walking by his side to the Great Hall, said something that made his lips curve in a smile.
"She wants to invite you to her bed, Brother."
"I know."
"Then you should also know that she is no maiden. Even the Princesses of Summer Islands are whores."
Azaerys chuckled at her words.
"I am aware."
"And?"
"And?" He looked at her and raised his brow.
"You are not going to sleep with her, are you?" She looked him right in the eyes as she asked the question.
There was a spark of madness flickering behind her deep brown eyes, which had a tinge of dark blue upon observation.
"No," He straightforwardly answered her question, and instantly, a smile formed on her lips.
Azaerys chuckled when she happily grabbed his arm and started skipping, a habit of hers whenever she was in a good mood.
When they arrived at the door of the Great Hall, a Messenger was waiting for them there.
"Yes?" Azaerys allowed him to approach them after stepping into the Hall.
"Some ships from Westeros have arrived at the Port, Your Grace." His accent of High Valyrian was clear.
"Whose?"
"Four Galleys, four Trading Vessels, and a Carrack of House Redwyne of Arbor. They have decided to visit Dragonport to sell their Wine and buy the finest Silk and Spices of the Jade Sea. Our whisperers in Lys, Tyrosh, Myr, and Pentos have been working more actively in the last few moons."
"I see. Any noteworthy names?"
"Yes, Your Grace," He nodded his head. "Ser Garlan Tyrell, his newly wedded wife, Leonette Fossoway, his Paternal Aunts, Mina Redwyne and Janna Fossoway, his Sisters-in-Law, Lady Jeyne Fossoway, and his Paternal Cousins, Horas, Hobber, and Desmera Redwyne are all on board the main ship. They are here for sightseeing."
"Interesting."
"There are three more ships from Westeros, Your Grace. They are a pair of Trading Vessels and a Carrack, which have come from White Harbour," The Messenger informed them.
"They have ventured far from home." Azaerys smiled. "Who's on board?"
"Benjen Stark, younger brother to the Lord Stark of Winterfell. His wife, Rhea Rivers, and their two children are with him. Most people on board are from the Starks of White Harbour, but quite a few of them are from Winterfell."
The Princess's face darkened at the news, and her brows furrowed.
"Their purpose?" She inquired.
"Trade and sightseeing."
"How long is their stay?"
"The Redwyne Vessels have purchased a permit for six Moons. And the Northmen have purchased a permit for three Moons."
"Keep an eye on both the groups, but let them trade freely," Azaerys ordered.
"Yes, Your Grace." The man retreated and closed the door of the Great Hall behind him.
"The Brother of Lord Stark married a bastard?" Rhaenys smiled a little. "When was the last time a proud Stark married a Bastard?"
Her question made him chuckle and shake his head.
"Yes. Rhea Rivers, daughter of Damon Marbrand and Dalena Waters. Though she never lived with her father, he does acknowledge her existence and shows her care. Her mother, Dalena, was the daughter of Daemion Velaryon and Helenei of Lys. And Helenei was the daughter of Aenys Blackfyre and a freed slave from a Pillow House in Lys."
"You looked into her past?" She surprisedly asked.
"Yes. When I received the news that Benjen had married Rhea Rivers, I looked into her past."
"She knows the history of her mother's family?"
"No. Rhea's mother died in childbirth. She was raised by her Grandmother in Duskendale. Her Grandmother, Helenei, did not know much about her parents either. She never knew who her father was. She was brought to Driftmark by Daemion when she was only twelve years old and had not yet flowered. Her mother was poisoned by a Noble when she refused his favour. The orphaned girl had nowhere to go except to take refuge in Pillow Houses. So, when the handsome Daemion offered her to come with him to his home, she readily agreed. She loved him, but he never publicly acknowledged her as his Lover, though he kept her close to him for the rest of his life. Before his death, he gave her ample money and settled her and little Dalena in Duskendale. The mother and daughter quickly became famous for their needlework in Town, getting the attention of some High-Born ladies. That's how they lived for years."
"Is Helenei alive?"
Azaerys shook his head.
"Helenei died defending Rhea's honour when some enemies of Damon Marbrand barged into their house one night after killing the three guards of the Marbrand Household. They intended to rape and kill the bastard daughter of the Lord of Ashemark. It was in the summer of 284 AC. Benjen was in town at that time, close to their house. He and his companions managed to save Rhea, but not her Grandmother. The Stark helped her with the funeral and looked after her for a moon. It was all it took him to fall in love with her. Before leaving the Town, he asked her to come with him and to be his wife. She agreed. Ten days later, on their way back to the North, he married her in the Godswood of Harrenhall."
"That's quite a love story." His sister smiled.
Azaerys chuckled and nodded his head.
"Indeed."
"Their kids?"
"Alysanne Stark, eight namedays old, and Arlan Stark, six namedays old."
Rhaenys nodded her head and took her seat on the throne.
"Does Lyanna know about them?"
"Yes. She reads all the information about the Starks that we receive from the Red Priests."
"You will allow her to see her Brother?"
"Yes."
Rhaenys turned quiet after his words, and then a meaningful smile crossed her lips.
"Rhaemon and Aegon are coming to Dragonport in two days."
"Yes, and you will have to look after them in my absence. I will be taking a group of Kharziks to Sothoryos to help them tame the Giant Apes."
"Not Wyverns?" She grinned.
"They are a headache. They are noisy, restless, eat more than the dragons, and shit a lot. We will run out of meat if we decide to keep them, and they will ruin the peace of people."
Of course, she knew about it.
It was the reason why Valyrians never bothered with the Wyverns of Sothoryos other than in their horrific attempts to create some cursed creatures...
"Bring me something from there. Something nice."
"Okay," He promised her and sat next to her.
It was time to meet the envoys of Lys...