(Three Months Later)
Three months had passed in the blink of an eye. The cities of Meereen and Yunkai had completely transformed during this time. All the projects Jon had implemented were either finished or in their final stages. The city had been beautified. The walls had been repaired. Drainage systems had been improved. A standard of improved hygiene had been introduced. Bathing and keeping one self clean was emphasised upon.
The city centres and the pleasure house of both cities had not yet been inaugurated, though the work was mostly complete, and the ceremony was scheduled for the coming week.
Apart from it, the brick and cement factory and the alcohol plant too had begun their functioning. Though, there had been reports of the ruling class of many cities trying to disturb their trade, it had not been affected much. Demand of these product was quite high and money minded merchants had enough influence and to ignore and bypass what the rulers had wanted. It also helped that most of the rulers themselves were merchants and they did not want to miss such an opportunity to make money for themselves.
The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed through the inner courtyard of the manor. In the large yard stood Melisandre, Slyvia, and Rhaenys on one side.
Facing them, wielding a sword in each hand, was Jon. All of them were drenched in sweat, gasping for breath.
The spar had lasted nearly an hour, and it was a battle worth witnessing. The four moved like blurs, their blades colliding with such force that even brand new swords were beginning to chip.
It was a fight no ordinary human could comprehend. Only the combined efforts of the three women managed to put the slightest pressure on Jon.
"We should stop," Jon remarked, backing away.
The three nodded in agreement. And just as the spar ended, a gust of wind swept the courtyard, followed by the heavy thud of wings.
A dragon descended before Jon. Obsidian, the largest of them all.
In size, Obsidian had grown to nearly twice that of a horse, large enough now to carry a rider. The other dragons were not far behind. Each was capable of bearing a human, and Jon had already taken all three women on several rides under the cover of night.
The dragons adored him and were always eager and pleased to carry him. They acted like spoiled children in his presence, yet never once disobeyed his commands.
While they tolerated Rhaenys, Slyvia, and Melisandre, their acceptance was less certain. They were most accommodating toward Rhaenys, likely because of her true Targaryen bloodline, while Slyvia and Melisandre had to push harder to win their favour.
Even so, Jon insisted they ride from time to time. He did not want anyone to feel helpless should the need arise. Although Jon could command them even without riding, a dragon with a rider was always far more suited for battle than one without a rider. And it would not be that he would always be so free and ideal to command five dragons at once.
Obsidian, however, was the most possessive. He resisted anyone riding him except Jon, and only on Jon's direct orders had he allowed anyone else to climb onto his back and even then, it had been a one time affair.
Jon understood and respected his will.
"Has the meeting been called?" Jon asked as he wiped the sweat from his bare face and bare chest.
"Yes, my lord," Slyvia replied. "Everyone has arrived, and we can begin the gathering in a couple of hours."
"Good," Jon nodded.
.
.
.
A gathering had been called in Meereen, and those attending were the most trusted and influential people in Jon's three city empire.
Freydron, Missandei, and a few other important officials had been summoned from Yunkai and Astapor. More than two dozen people from the three cities were expected to attend this meeting.
Asmund and Freydron walked side by side as they approached the restricted section of the manor. The meeting was to be held in the restricted section of the manor and it would be for the first time that someone else apart from Jon and the trio of the ladies would be entering the section.
It had been almost four months since Freydron and Asmund had last met. Both were the most senior military commanders of the empire's army.
"What do you think the meeting is about?" Freydron asked in a low tone.
Asmund shrugged.
"Who knows? Maybe Lord Aeos will reveal his plan for the next invasions. We have been preparing ourselves for this only since last few months. Even Navy has geared up. I think it is time to capture a few more cities."
Freydron looked doubtful.
"But then why call all these officials?" he said, gesturing towards the other men walking with them. "I do not think Lord Aeos would have called them from Yunkai and Astapor if he only wanted to plan a military invasion."
These were officials from the three cities handling various departments.
Asmund shrugged again, "We never know. His ideas have always been unique. Maybe this time, these officials win the battle for us."
"Why fret so much? We will know in a some more time anyway," he continued. "Apart from those three ladies, no one has been allowed entry into this section of the manor."
"It will be the first time we set foot here," he added. "Besides, you will be meeting Lord Aeos again after almost four months."
Freydron nodded. "That is true."
"But what for what reason could Lord Aeos restrict access in this section of manor?" Freydron asked. He was quite a curious man.
Asmund eyed him, "I think we will know today."
The group reached the entrance of the restricted section. Grey Worm stood there with his spear in hand and a firm expression on his face. He gave a nod of greeting to Asmund and Freydron, who nodded back in return. Grey Worm had already met Freydron when he first arrived in Meereen, and thus he was able to hold himself from giving a proper warm greeting to his mentor and the very person at whose insistence he had been appointed to such a precious position.
The entire group waited there patiently. No one questioned, and no one raised their voice. The wait did not last long as Slyvia appeared at the entrance from inside.
"Grey Worm," she said. "Bring them all. Lord Aeos is ready."
She exchanged a subtle nod of greeting with Missandei, Freydron, and a few officials she knew from Astapor. A detailed greeting would have to wait for later.
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