Chapter 38: Surrender or die or....
Astapor, the first city of Slaver's Bay, stood as a testament to both opulence and cruelty. Known for its crimson walls, which gleamed like blood in the sunlight, the city had long been a center of commerce and power. Its rulers, the so-called Good Masters, controlled the infamous Unsullied elite slave soldiers trained from childhood to be the perfect killing machines.
The city itself was divided into layers. The outermost layer housed the slaves, packed into cramped quarters, their lives dictated by their masters. Closer to the center lay the luxurious estates of the Good Masters, who lived in excess and decadence. At the heart of the city was the Plaza of Pride, where slaves were bought and sold, their humanity stripped away.
Astapor's rulers believed their walls and the might of their Unsullied would keep them safe from any threat. But when word came that an army had arrived at their gates an army led by dragons they were filled with dread. If this force had already taken Volantis, it meant their defenses might not hold.
The Good Masters convened in their grand hall, the air heavy with incense and fear.
"An army of Pentos? With dragons? This is madness," one of them spat.
"If they've come this far, it means Volantis has fallen," another said, his voice trembling.
"Then we must negotiate," said Grazdan mo Ullhor, the eldest of the Good Masters. "Offer them gold, jewels, even Valyrian steel if we must. They'll see reason if we appeal to their greed."
The others nodded, their faces pale. A delegation was assembled, and they prepared to meet the invaders outside the city.
Outside the city walls, Alex, Daenerys, and their soldiers waited patiently. Ancalagon lay coiled nearby, his enormous form casting a shadow over the assembled forces. The other 2 circled above, their shrill cries piercing the air.
The gates of Astapor creaked open, and the Good Masters emerged, flanked by a small contingent of guards. They were richly dressed, their robes adorned with gold and gemstones, their every step exuding arrogance. But their eyes betrayed their fear as they approached Alex and Daenerys.
Grazdan mo Ullhor stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Graces," he began, his voice oily, "we come in peace. Surely, there is no need for bloodshed. Let us offer you gold, jewels, and even the finest Valyrian steel from our armories. Surely this will suffice for you to leave Astapor untouched."
Daenerys stepped forward, her voice cold and commanding. "You think we've come this far for gold? For trinkets?" She looked at them with disdain. "Your city stands on the backs of slaves. You profit from their suffering. We're here to end that."
Alex added, his tone sharp, "Astapor must surrender and accept new rule. Your time is over."
The Good Masters exchanged nervous glances. Grazdan hesitated before speaking again. "If you would grant us a day to discuss your terms among ourselves, we might yet find a way to satisfy your demands."
Alex studied them for a moment before nodding. "You have until sundown tomorrow. Make your decision wisely."
As the sun set over the encampment, the army settled into their routine for the night. Alex and Daenerys retired to their personal tent, its interior modest but comfortable. Ancalagon lay just outside, his great bulk serving as both a guardian and a deterrent.
Inside, Alex removed his armor and poured a glass of wine for Daenerys. "They'll try to stall us," he said, his tone measured. "They'll either plan an ambush or try to buy time for reinforcements."
Daenerys nodded. "We'll be ready. They underestimate us, as all slavers do. They think we're here for their gold, not realizing we're here to change the world."
Outside, the campfires flickered, and soldiers stood watch, their weapons ready.
Astapor had a choice to make, but Alex and Daenerys were prepared for whatever came next.
Morning at the Encampment
The morning sun climbed high into the sky, but the gates of Astapor remained eerily silent. Alex, Daenerys, and their army waited for a response, their patience wearing thin as the hours dragged on. By noon, Alex decided enough was enough.
"Send a messenger to the gates," he ordered Leon, his tone sharp. "Give them one final warning to surrender. If they don't respond, we'll take the city by force."
The reason for Alex to be this lenient is because he told Dani that we would give them a chance to surrender. But now his patience is wearing thin, if this was like the old way astapor would have been under his control by now. Just because dani doesn't wanted to spill more blood, he had to hold back.
Leon nodded, selecting a capable soldier to carry the message. The man mounted his horse and rode toward the crimson gates of Astapor, disappearing into the heat haze of the midday sun.
Inside Astapor
At the gates, a group of Astapor's soldiers waited anxiously. When the messenger arrived with Alex's warning, they hurried to relay it to their masters. However, as they ascended the steps of the nearest pyramid, they found the chambers eerily empty.
Confused, one soldier said, "Where are the masters?"
"They must be at Grazdan's pyramid," another suggested, and the group hurried across the city.
But at Grazdan's pyramid, they found the same scene: silence, empty halls, and abandoned luxuries. A sinking realization dawned on them.
"The Good Masters have fled," one soldier whispered, his voice trembling.
"They left us," another muttered in disbelief.
Twelve hours earlier, under the cover of darkness, the Good Masters had gathered in a secret chamber within Grazdan's pyramid.
"We cannot stay," Grazdan mo Ullhor declared. "This... 'King of Pentos' and his dragons will strip us of everything. We must leave now if we're to survive."
Another master hesitated. "But what of our armies? The Unsullied could defend us."
"No," Grazdan snapped. "If we try to mobilize them now, the noise will alert the invaders. Their dragons will destroy us before dawn. We leave quietly, with only what we can carry."
"But what about all the time and gold that we put in the training of these Unsullieds?...if we leave them now They will cease them under their control as well, growing their strong army even more" said one of the masters.
"So, what do you suggest. Take the armies with you, which will risk our lives or take our riches and fled the city and live to see the sun of another day. Think with your brain not with your heart fool. If they came, it meant Volantis has fallen, do you really think we stand a chance against them even if take our armies with us. They have Dragons, weapons that we have never seen before. We must leave now otherwise we will end up like volantis, forget your armies." Said Rlyrio one of the smart masters out of all bunch.
Reluctantly, the other masters agreed. They packed their most precious treasures gold, jewels, and artifacts of immense value into small chests, leaving behind the city and its people. By the time the first rays of sunlight touched Astapor, the masters were long gone.
Back to present
Back at the gates, the Astaporian soldier returned to Alex's messenger, his face pale. "The Good Masters... they fled the city last night. There are none left to negotiate with."
The messenger's brow furrowed. "You're certain of this?"
"Yes," the soldier replied, his voice shaking. "They left us all behind."
The messenger returned to the encampment, relaying the news to Alex and Daenerys.
"They fled?" Daenerys said, her eyes narrowing in anger. "They abandoned their city and their people?"
"It's possible," Alex replied, his expression grim. "Or it could be a trap. They may be hiding in their pyramids, waiting to ambush us." Alex was not surprised that they left their people or more like their slaves to die and fled but just to make sure he is not heading into a trap.
Alex turned to Ancalagon, who lay coiled near the camp. "Ancalagon," he said firmly, "destroy the three largest pyramids in the city. If they're hiding there, we'll root them out." Alex said as he pointed out three of the highest pyramids in Astapor.
Ancalagon rose, his massive form casting a shadow over the camp. He let out a deafening roar that sent shivers through everyone present, then launched into the sky with a powerful beat of his wings.
From above, the city of Astapor looked small beneath him. He circled once, targeting the largest pyramid first. With a deep inhale, he unleashed a torrent of fire, the flames so intense they melted stone and turned the once-grand structure into a heap of smoldering rubble.
The second pyramid suffered the same fate, its walls crumbling under the assault. By the time Ancalagon turned his attention to the third, panic had spread through the remaining soldiers of Astapor, who scattered like ants before the dragon's might.
When the third pyramid collapsed in a fiery explosion, Ancalagon roared triumphantly, the sound echoing across the desert. Most of the pyramids were empty because master barely allowed any servants to enter their personal pyramids beside some pleasure slaves. So the pyramids were mostly empty when Ancalagon destroyed those Pyramids.
Ancalagon returned to the camp, landing beside Alex and Daenerys. His scales shimmered with heat, his golden eyes glowing with satisfaction.
"That should send a message," Alex said, nodding to the dragon.
Daenerys placed a hand on Ancalagon's snout, her anger giving way to determination. "If the masters have truly fled, then their people are ours now. Astapor will be free, and the Unsullied will have a choice for the first time in their lives."
Alex agreed. "Tomorrow, we march into the city and take over the city".
Astapor's days of slavery and decadence were over. A new era was about to begin.