Game of Thrones: The blind warrior

Astapor, once a city whose name conjured images of slave auctions and cruelty, had transformed. Under the rule of Daenerys Targaryen, it had become a beacon of freedom and growth, its streets humming with activity, its people rebuilding their lives in ways they had never thought possible. Yet, as the city thrived, ripples of its influence were being felt far beyond its walls. The Free Cities of Essos, with their long-standing traditions and intricate balance of power, were watching. Some with interest, others with unease.

---

#### **Volantis: The First of the Free Cities**

In the city of Volantis, the triarchs gathered within the vast chambers of the Black Wall, their voices low and tense as they debated the rise of Astapor. The ancient city of Volantis, steeped in its traditions of slavery and wealth, found itself grappling with the reality of a rapidly growing free city at its doorstep.

Domeric Maegyr, one of the Triarchs of the Tigers, leaned forward, his fingers drumming on the marble table. "This... Astapor," he said, his voice dripping with disdain, "has become an irritation. A city of former slaves? That's not how the world should work."

"Their growth is alarming," murmured Nyessos, another Triarch. "Freed slaves building an economy? What message does that send to our own slaves? They could see it as a sign that freedom is within their grasp."

Domeric's lips twisted in a sneer. "Let them dream. The Unsullied may be disciplined, but they're still soldiers. Astapor lacks the resources to truly challenge us. And if they do, we'll cut off their supplies. Let the city starve."

"They have dragons," Nyessos added quietly, causing a brief silence to fall over the room.

Domeric waved his hand dismissively. "Dragons are stories for children. Even if they are real, they are not fully grown. Astapor will need ships, grain, and trade routes to thrive. They will have no choice but to come to us for these things."

He stood, his voice rising. "We can control their growth, manipulate them as we see fit. As long as their profit flows into our coffers, we need not worry. Let them rise, but only under our terms."

The Triarchs nodded, the decision clear. Volantis would maintain a symbiotic relationship with Astapor, allowing them to grow just enough to feed the Free Cities' wealth. They would support Astapor as long as they could reap the benefits, but they would not allow the city to threaten the established order.

---

#### **Braavos: The City of Water and Shadows**

In Braavos, the mood was different. The Sealord of Braavos sat in his grand hall, overlooking the vast canals that crisscrossed his city. Braavos had long been a beacon of freedom, having risen from the ashes of rebellion against Valyria. Yet even here, the rise of Astapor was seen with a mix of curiosity and caution.

"Daenerys Targaryen has done what none of the other Free Cities dared," Maegor Antaryon, a wealthy merchant, said as he paced before the Sealord. "She has turned Astapor into a city of free men. The slaves who once served our interests now look to her as a savior."

The Sealord watched him, expression calm. "And what do you fear, Maegor? That she will take trade from Braavos? That the free men of Astapor will disrupt our own economy?"

Maegor stopped, his eyes narrowing. "Not trade. But she threatens to outshine us. Braavos has long been known as the city of freedom. Now, Astapor seeks to take that title for itself."

The Sealord tapped his fingers against the arm of his chair. "Daenerys Targaryen and her city are young. They are new to this game, but they are also in need of trade routes, resources, and alliances. Braavos has no need to fear her. If anything, we can make her dependent on us."

Maegor frowned, considering. "Ships. She will need ships."

"And we have the largest fleet in the world," the Sealord replied, his voice measured. "We can help her expand, but on our terms. Braavos will not be outshone, Maegor. If Astapor grows, it will grow with us at its side."

---

#### **Yunkai: The Slaver City**

In Yunkai, however, the mood was far more tense. Yunkai had always prided itself on its control of the slave trade, and the fall of Astapor to Daenerys's armies had sent shockwaves through the city's ruling class. Now, with Astapor's growth threatening to overshadow Yunkai's own influence, the leaders of the city gathered in their pyramid to discuss what could be done.

"The Unsullied... they are not like other soldiers," Malnak zo Yullen, a slaver lord, growled as he paced the chamber. "Disciplined. Ruthless. And they answer only to her."

"And her dragons," added Nuryos zo Faen, his voice trembling slightly. "We've all heard the stories."

Malnak slammed his fist against the table. "Stories. That's all they are. If her dragons were truly powerful, she would have marched on Yunkai by now."

Nuryos shifted nervously in his seat. "But her city grows. Astapor thrives under her rule. If she consolidates power... Yunkai could be next."

Malnak glared at him. "Then we must act first. Yunkai cannot allow Astapor to become a threat. We must gather allies, prepare our defenses, and ensure that our trade routes remain intact. If Daenerys thinks she can take Yunkai, she will soon learn otherwise."

The room fell silent, the weight of the impending conflict settling over the slavers like a thick fog. Yunkai, it seemed, would not sit idly by while Astapor rose to power.

---

#### **Illyrio Mopatis: The Chess Player in Pentos**

In Pentos, Illyrio Mopatis sat at his desk, his fat fingers delicately picking at a tray of honeyed figs. His eyes, however, were not on the food, but on the letter that lay before him—news from his network of spies. Daenerys had not only taken Astapor but had begun to reshape it in her own image. The city was thriving under her rule, and Illyrio had no doubt that this was just the beginning.

He sighed deeply, setting the fig down and leaning back in his plush chair. "Daenerys," he murmured to himself, "you are becoming far more dangerous than I anticipated."

Illyrio had always known Daenerys was special. From the moment he had placed her in the path of Khal Drogo, he had seen her potential. The dragons were an unexpected gift, but it was her ability to lead and command that truly set her apart. He had always hoped to use her as a pawn in his larger game, to see her marry his son and solidify a Targaryen alliance with Pentos.

But now, things were changing. Daenerys was becoming independent—too independent. The reports from Astapor made it clear that she was no longer the scared, unsure girl he had met in Pentos. She was a queen now, and queens didn't need puppet masters pulling their strings.

The mention of the "Cursed Warrior" barely registered in Illyrio's mind. Arren was formidable, yes, but he was not the problem. If anything, the warrior was a useful tool—a weapon Daenerys could wield. No, it was Daenerys herself that worried him. Her strength, her growing power, and her desire to forge her own path.

"If she continues like this," Illyrio mused, "there will be no need for an alliance with Pentos. She will have no need of my son... no need of me."

Illyrio steepled his fingers, his mind racing with possibilities. He had spent years building his influence, carefully crafting the Targaryen restoration. But Daenerys was proving unpredictable, and unpredictability was dangerous in this game.

"Perhaps it's time to remind her of the importance of alliances," he whispered to himself. "Before she forgets who helped put her on this path."

For now, Illyrio would watch and wait. Daenerys was still useful, but if she grew too powerful, too independent, he would have to take steps to ensure that she remained aligned with his interests. After all, power was fleeting, and in the game of thrones, one could never afford to be too trusting.

---

### **The Free Cities: A Delicate Balance**

The rise of Astapor had sent shockwaves across the Free Cities, each reacting in their own way. Volantis saw an opportunity to control the city through trade, while Braavos sought to build a relationship that would secure their position as the true beacon of freedom. Yunkai, on the other hand, bristled with resentment, fearing that Daenerys's growing power would soon be turned against them.

And in Pentos, Illyrio Mopatis watched from the shadows, not worried about the cursed warrior who fought at Daenerys's side, but about the queen herself. For if Daenerys continued to grow in strength and independence, Illyrio feared that his carefully laid plans might unravel before his very eyes.

Astapor, once a forgotten relic of the old world, had become a city of the future. But with every step forward, it walked a delicate