Chapter 54: Reaching Meereen (2)
[Please suggest me the names of the dragons. I am very bad at naming them. Do not blame me for bad naming. Suggest something that has some sort of significance for our MC. Either from this life or the previous life.]
The ship finally docked at the port of Meereen. The gangplank was lowered, and merchants, traders, and travellers began to disembark from the ship. On the other side, a group of labourers started unloading the cargo using thick ropes and pulley systems.
Amidst the crowd, two women, each carrying a cloth bundle, descended from the ship.
At first glance, to the casual onlookers, nothing would have seemed unusual. But if one had paid close attention, they would have noticed that nearly every man around them was maintaining a cautious distance. It was as if they were afraid of offending the two ladies.
After all, it had not been long since the Red Priestess had burned five men alive.
The port of Meereen was quieter than usual. The city had once been renowned for its slave markets, especially its infamous sex slaves. But since the slavery had been abolished by Lord Aeos, the number of merchants arriving to trade in humans had dwindled drastically.
The pleasure houses of Meereen had once been another major attraction but with a temporary ban on prostitution now in place, that allure had also faded. Fewer visitors were arriving in the city.
The two women finally stepped off the ship and turned their eyes toward the city beyond. Armed soldiers were patrolling the port, ensuring order.
In the distance, but not in the direction of the main city, they could see massive construction underway.
"That is most likely the Meereen City Centre and the new pleasure house," Melisandre said, her red robes fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Likely modelled after the Astapor City Centre."
The younger woman beside her nodded, though her mind was far away. She was here. She had followed the strange calling within her and arrived in Meereen. But now, the question loomed in her heart. What was she supposed to do next? Who was supposed to find?
She turned to the Red Priestess. From the way Melisandre had spoken aboard the ship a few days ago, it had seemed as she knew far more than her.
"What should I do next?" she asked.
Melisandre raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you knew exactly what you were doing," she said.
"But it looks that I am to become your guide," she mumbled further. "Lord of Light must have offered this great opportunity to me."
The younger woman remained silent as she heard Melisandre mumble the last part of her reply.
"Come," Melisandre said, turning toward the city and the two women began walking.
Though it had been no more than fifteen days since Lord Aeos had taken control of Meereen, the effects of his rule were already clearly visible.
Sections of the city walls were under active repair, with fresh bricks and cement reinforcing their structure. Cement was being poured to fortify the foundations.
Across various streets, labourers were working diligently as they repairing buildings, clearing rubble, and carving new drains and channels into the streets. Proper drainage systems had been dug, some already completed and others still in progress, steadily redirecting the city's sewage beyond its borders.
Everywhere they looked, construction and restoration projects were underway, part of a sweeping effort to reshape and beautify Meereen.
Melisandre spotted one of the soldiers patrolling the street. One who appeared to be of somewhat higher rank. She approached him directly.
"I am Melisandre, a Red Priestess from Volantis," she said, her voice calm and firm, immediately drawing the soldier's attention.
"This is my traveling companion," she added, gesturing to the young woman standing beside her. "We wish to meet Lord Aeos."
Under any other circumstance, the soldier might have scoffed or even laughed at such a bold demand. But there was something unsettling in the sheer composure of the woman standing before him. And also, her title, Red Priestess, alone was enough to give him pause. They had a certain reputation to themselves and it was certainly not on the good side.
"I do not have the authority to take you to him," the soldier said after a brief moment of thought.
"Then take me to the highest ranking officer you can," Melisandre replied with a soft smile.
The soldier hesitated again, eyes flicking between the two women. Melisandre's calmness was unnerving. The reputation of Red Priestesses. Dark, powerful, and mysterious—certainly did not help.
Beside her, the younger woman looked visibly anxious, worry etched across her face.
"This is very important," Melisandre whispered, her tone low but insistent.
After one last uncertain glance, the soldier finally gave in.
"Alright," he muttered. He would dump this to his superior and he would be the one to decide.
Melisandre smiled in response.
.
.
.
Jon Snow or Aegon Targaryen unaware of the duo making their way to find him, was currently atop the Great Pyramid of Meereen.
He was standing at the centre of a training arena, his bare chest heaving with breath. His chiselled muscles soaked with his sweat were glistening under the harsh sunlight.
In each hand, he was holding a wooden sword, his grip relaxed but ready. Surrounding him were eight warriors. Grey Worm, Jelerion, and six other Supreme Shadows.
From the sidelines, Slyvia was observing with a composed expression on her face.
"How are you this strong?" Jelerion muttered in sheer disbelief.
"And this fast," Grey Worm added, his voice tight with effort and frustration.
They had always known their Lord Aeos was an elite warrior. But until now, none of them had ever seen him wield his sword in Astapor. The only training he did, he did in solitude and alone.
But then they saw him during him the fall of Meereen. He had been slaughtering the enemy soldiers as if he had been taking a leisure walk.
And that had sparked curiosity to see his limit. And thus, very bravely, Jelerion had asked for a spar. She and Grey Worm vs Lord Aeos.
And Lord Aeos had asked to add more numbers.
Jon chuckled lightly, his breath even despite the intense sparring.
"I would say you could add another eight to this lot, and still none of you would land a blow," he said with a teasing grin.
Jelerion and Grey Worm exchanged a glance, and then charged. Jon shifted with ease, his movements smooth and effortless.
Their simultaneous strikes missed as he weaved between them, his wooden blades flowing like extensions of his body.
But the Supreme Shadows were not ordinary fighters. Three more moved in from behind, their wooden swords crashing toward him. It should have been impossible to react in time, but somehow, Jon twisted unnaturally, blocking all three strikes in perfect succession.
Another three Supreme Shadows lunged in, their strikes fast and precise. Jon was still engaged on one side, but with a burst of strength, he forced the blades away and pivoted with impeccable precision, dodging the new attacks with fluid grace.
This pattern had repeated for the past half hour. Jon had not once attacked. He was only defending, but each time they thought they had landed a hit, he either blocked it or slipped away, as though he had seen it coming before the strike even began.
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