Game of Thrones(ASOIAF): The Sorcerer Prince

Disclaimer:

Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

ASOIAF and all of its characters belong to GRRM

I own nothing but the original characters I make.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 122: The Yellow City

The heat of the Slaver's Bay sun beat down on the marching column. It was like a relentless weight that pressed against the skin and sapped the strength of even the hardiest soldiers.

Daenerys rode near the head of the army; her silver-gold hair had been pulled back from her face, and her violet eyes were fixed on the sky.

"Khaleesi," Jorah said, riding beside her. "You seem very distracted."

Daenerys turned to him. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but the concern was palpable on her face. "Drogon is still missing, Jorah. I cannot help but worry."

The dragon had been gone for two days after soaring off into the distance without warning, without explanation. He had done this before, had disappeared for hours at a time. But never for this long.

Jorah nodded slowly and tried to sound reassuring. "Dragons are wild creatures, Khaleesi. They come and go as they please. He will return soon enough, I'm sure of it. He always does."

Daenerys's jaw tightened. "He has never been gone this long before. What if something has happened to him?"

"Nothing has happened to him," Jorah said firmly. "He is the largest dragon in the world. He is fire and blood. There is nothing in this world that could harm him." He paused, his eyes moving to the distant walls. "And we have more pressing concerns. Yunkai is in sight."

Daenerys's eyes moved ahead, at the walls that were now visible in the distance.

Yunkai.

The Yellow City, they called it. A city of merchants and slavers, of pleasure houses and fighting pits. A city that had grown rich on the suffering of others, built on the bones of the enslaved.

Daenerys forced herself to nod, to push the worry aside. Jorah was right. She could not afford to be distracted at this crucial moment. There were thousands of lives depending on her, thousands of souls who had placed their trust in her.

The city was larger than Astapor, more fortified, more prepared. The Masters had seen what had happened to their neighbors, and they had taken steps to protect themselves.

But the sight that drew her attention was not the walls. It was the banners that hung from them.

On either side of the main gate, massive banners of yellow and gold had been unfurled, each bearing the crest of the Wise Masters. But beneath them, lining the walls, were rows of slaves...men, women, and children, all chained to the battlements, their faces hollow with despair.

They were being set on display as a reminder of the power the Masters held over their lives.

Daenerys felt her stomach turn, a surge of anger rising in her chest. She had seen many displays of cruelty before, like the ones at the hand of the Masters in Astapor. But this was different. This was a message meant for her…a warning of what would happen if she continued down this road.

She turned to Missandei, who was riding in a carriage nearby. The young girl's face was pale, her eyes fixed on the chained figures with a mixture of horror and grim acceptance.

"Missandei," Daenerys said, her voice soft. "You should stay inside the carriage. You do not need to see this."

Missandei shook her head, trying to keep her voice steady despite the trembling in her hands. "I have seen worse, Khaleesi. In Astapor, they used to display the bodies of slaves who tried to escape. They would leave them there for weeks. At least these are still alive."

Daenerys felt a surge of pity, of anger, and determination. "They should not be chained like animals. No one deserves such treatment."

Tyrion appeared at her side, his eyes fixed on the walls. "The Masters of Yunkai are trying to provoke you, Your Grace. They want you to react, to make a mistake. They want you to be angry."

Daenerys's eyes narrowed. "They are succeeding."

Tyrion shook his head. "Do not let them. They are trying to goad you into a rash attack, into a hasty siege that will drain your resources and weaken your army. They are hoping you will lose your temper and make a mistake."

Daenerys forced herself to breathe, to push the anger down. Tyrion was right. She could not afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment.

Lord Varys rode up beside her, his silken robes looking dusty from the long journey. "The Masters of Yunkai are not like the Good Masters of Astapor, Your Grace. They are more cunning, and they are going to be much more prepared. They have seen what happened to their neighbors, and they have taken steps to protect themselves. They will not be as easy to defeat. I doubt they would even open the door for us to talk inside."

Daenerys nodded slowly. "I am aware of that, Lord Varys. That is why I brought an army."

Lyssara poked her head from the carriage. She had been quiet for most of the journey, her mind occupied with something beyond the mortal world. "The Yellow City has stood for thousands of years, Khaleesi. Its walls have never been breached. Its Masters have never been defeated. They believe themselves invincible."

Daenerys met her gaze. "And what do you believe, Lady Lyssara?"

Lyssara's lips curled into a thin smile. "I believe that the walls of Yunkai are made of stone, and stone can be broken. I believe that the Masters of Yunkai are men, and men can be killed. And I believe that you are the Mother of Dragons, and you have never lost a battle."

The army formed its lines before the walls of Yunkai. The Unsullied stood in perfect formation, with their bronze shields gleaming under the sun and their spears raised high towards the sky.

The enhanced Dothraki rode at the flanks, their horses snorting and stamping.

The Red Temple knights stood in reserve, close to the Queen, with their crimson robes serving as a stark contrast to the muted colors that this land had to offer.

Daenerys moved to the front, her eyes fixed on the gates of the city. She could see figures on top of the walls; the Masters of Yunkai were watching her with cold calculation. They were prepared for her arrival.

A small party emerged from the gates, three richly dressed men and a small group of guards carrying a white banner.

The emissaries approached slowly, their richly embroidered robes billowing in the hot wind. Behind them, the slaves carried heavy coffers, their backs bent under the weight of gold. The three Masters wore expressions of fake courtesy, but their eyes betrayed the fear that lurked beneath their carefully composed masks.

"Oh, powerful Dragon Queen of the West," the lead emissary called out, his voice smooth as honey. "We are the emissaries of the Wise Masters of Yunkai. We have come to negotiate."

Daenerys studied them for a moment. She had expected threats, demands, perhaps even a declaration of war. She had not expected that they would start with a negotiation before her army even had a chance to settle down.

'They really are merchants at their core,' she realized.

"Speak," she said, her voice flat. "I will listen to what you have to say."

The emissary smiled, gesturing to the coffers behind him. "The Wise Masters of Yunkai are not blind, Khaleesi. They have seen what happened in Astapor. They have seen the power you wield, the army you command, the dragons you control. They have no desire to share the fate of their neighbors."

Daenerys raised an eyebrow. "Then why do they chain their slaves to the walls? Why do they display their cruelty for all to see?"

The emissary's smile faltered, just slightly. "A... misunderstanding, Khaleesi. The slaves were placed there before we knew of your arrival. A show of strength, nothing more. We mean you no offense."

Daenerys's eyes narrowed. "I take great offense at the display of such cruelty. Your 'show of strength' has only strengthened my resolve."

The emissary pressed on, his voice growing more urgent. "The Wise Masters wish to offer you a gift, Khaleesi. A token of their goodwill. Gold, enough to buy ships, supplies, anything you need. They ask only that you spare their city and continue on your journey."

Daenerys was silent for a long moment, her violet eyes fixed on the emissary. She could see the fear in his eyes, the desperation beneath the polished words. The Masters of Yunkai were afraid. They had seen what she had done to Astapor, and they wanted to avoid the same fate.

But she could also see the lies. The chained slaves were not a misunderstanding. They were a message. And the gold was not a gift. It was a bribe.

Tyrion appeared at her side, his voice low. "They are trying to buy you off, Your Grace. They are hoping you will take the gold and leave them alone."

Daenerys nodded slowly. "I know. And what do you think I should do?"

Tyrion's lips curled into a thin smile. "I think you should take the gold. And then take the city anyway. That's what a conqueror would do."

Daenerys almost smiled. Tyrion's cynicism was refreshing, a welcome contrast to the tedious diplomacy of the Masters. But she had made a promise to the slaves of Slaver's Bay, and she would not break it.

She turned back to the emissary, her voice cold. "Tell the Wise Masters that I am not for sale. Tell them that I have not come here for gold. I have come here to free the slaves of Yunkai, and I will not leave until that is done."

The emissary's face went pale, his composure cracking. "Queen Daenerys, I beg you to reconsider. A siege will cost you thousands of lives. You will lose many soldiers, many friends. We offer you a way to avoid that. We offer you-"

Daenerys raised her hand, silencing him. "I have made my decision. Return to your Masters and tell them that they have until dawn to surrender and open the gates. If they do not, I will take their city by force."

The emissary stared at her, his mouth open. Then he nodded slowly, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He turned and walked back toward the city, the coffers of gold left behind.

Daenerys watched him go, her expression unreadable. Then she turned to her advisors, her voice low.

"Call a war council… we need a plan. A siege will take too long and cost too many lives. We need to take the city quickly."

<><>

The war council gathered in Daenerys's tent, the maps of Yunkai spread across the table.

Tyrion studied the map, his finger tracing the walls of the city. "Yunkai is well fortified, Your Grace. The walls are high, the gates are strong, and the Masters have a large garrison. A direct assault would be costly."

Daenerys nodded. "That is why we will not assault the city directly. We will find another way in."

Varys stepped forward, his voice smooth and measured. "I have spoken with some of the freed slaves who came from Yunkai. They have told me of a secret gate, a passage that the Masters use to smuggle goods into the city. It is unguarded, and it leads directly into the heart of the city."

Daenerys's eyes brightened. "A secret gate? Where is it?"

Varys pointed to a spot on the map. "Here. On the eastern side of the city, near the harbor. The Masters believe it is hidden from prying eyes. They are wrong."

Jorah shook his head, his voice cautious. "It could be a trap, Khaleesi. The Masters may be expecting us to use the gate. They could have men waiting for us."

Daenerys met his gaze. "Then we will send men who are prepared for a trap. Men who can fight their way through anything."

She turned to the door, her voice commanding. "Send for the Hound."

Sandor Clegane stepped into the tent; his massive form seemed to cover everything. He was transformed, changed by the ritual that Joffrey had prepared for him. His body was larger, his muscles more defined, his eyes burning with an eerie red light. The black stone sword hung from his back.

Daenerys studied him, her expression unreadable. "Sandor Clegane. I have a task for you."

The Hound met her gaze, his voice flat. "I am listening."

Daenerys pointed to the map. "There is a secret gate on the eastern side of the city. We believe it leads into the heart of Yunkai. I want you to lead a small force through the gate, and then open the main gates from the inside. Can you do this?"

The Hound was silent for a moment, his red eyes fixed on the map. Then he shook his head slowly. "I only agree to serve Prince Joffrey, Khaleesi. Not you."

Daenerys's expression flickered. She had expected at least some gratitude, loyalty, at least a willingness to follow her orders. Instead, she was met with cold indifference.

"Well…Joffrey is not here," she said, her voice carefully controlled. "He is gone, vanished. I am the one who commands this army. I am the one who needs this city taken."

The Hound's lips curled into a cold smile. "I know where my loyalty lies, Your Grace. The Prince made me an offer, and I accepted. I serve him, not you." He paused, his red eyes gleaming. "However... I have been given a gift. A gift I have not yet tested in battle." He looked down at his massive hands, opening them and closing them. " I want to see what I can do."

Daenerys frowned. "As long as you are willing to do what I require… that's fine."

The Hound nodded slowly. "I will take this city because I want to. And if that helps you, then so be it."

Tyrion stepped forward. "If Clegane is going in, Your Grace, I would recommend sending a small group with him. The enhanced Dothraki would be the best candidates. They have superhuman abilities, and they are loyal to you. They can keep up with Clegane and provide support if he needs it."

Daenerys considered the suggestion. The enhanced Dothraki were her finest warriors, men who had been transformed by the dragonblood ritual. They were stronger, faster, more resilient than any normal soldier. If anyone could match the Hound's power, it was them.

She nodded slowly. "Very well. Twenty of the enhanced Dothraki will accompany you, Clegane. They will follow your orders and open the gates from the inside."

The Hound nodded, his expression unchanged. "That will suffice."

Jorah stepped forward, his voice cautious. "Khaleesi, I do not like this. Sending Clegane into the city with Dothraki…"

"It is not your place to like it, Jorah," Daenerys interrupted, her voice firm. "I decide to make. Clegane will take the gate. He will open the city for us. And I will trust him to do what he was made for."

She turned to the Hound, her eyes meeting his red gaze. "Do not fail me, Clegane. Joffrey may not be here to witness your success, but I will be. And I will remember what you do tonight."

The Hound smiled, a cold, predatory expression. "I do not fail."

<><>

A few hours later, Daenerys stood at the edge of the camp, her eyes fixed on the distant walls of Yunkai. The plan was in motion. The Hound and his Dothraki had disappeared into the darkness.

Jorah stood beside her, his eyes fixated on the city gates. "They should be inside the city by now, Khaleesi."

Daenerys nodded, her heart pounding. "I know. I just... I hope they are safe."

Jorah placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice gentle. "They will succeed."

Daenerys was about to respond when a distant sound reached her ears. It was faint at first, barely audible, but it grew louder with each passing moment. The sound of fighting, of screaming, of steel against steel.

She turned to Jorah, her eyes wide. "It has begun."

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