47 Chapter 47: The Queen's Champions

Author's Note: Apologies for the wait but at least I got it. Still mourning even a year after IT happened. But I'm hanging on.

I don't own anything. The Character of Marcus Sand is credited to Sketchywolf, while Derrick Highwolf, Cendrick Sparr, Vagel Snow are the creations of Akoslows. Many thanks for their assistance and support. Thank you and Read, Review and Enjoy

Marcus

The Watcher Exile arrived in Meereen a little before dusk. By this point, Danaerys had not yet arrived in the city. On the deck, Marcus observed the city from a distance eyeing the ships still at anchor. Idly, he wondered how Danaerys Targaryen was planning to take the city. Unlike it's smaller sister-cities Meereen would be a tough nut to crack. Astapor and Yunkai had crumbling walls while Meereen's own walls were standing tall and strong. They had done all they could to make things difficult for Daenerys, stripping the land dry of anything edible and stockpiling as much as they could. Besieging this city will be anything but easy.

The journey to Meereen had been a far cry from uneventful. Word of Daenerys Targaryen's campaign against the Slavers had reached the free cities. From what they heard from passing traders, she had sacked Astapor and had forced Yunkai to free its slave population. In response, Meereen orchestrated a scorched earth policy in a vain attempt to slow her advance. In an act of pure defiance and cruelty, they crucified 163 slave children to serve as mile markers.

Daenerys was building an army so the Freed Men decided that the best way to contribute to her cause was to build her a fleet. With this in mind, Illyllo Heston proposed a plan on how to do this.

On they way to their destination the Watcher's Exile was set upon by 2 pirate ships from Lys, the Elephant and the Goodheart. The Freed Men successfully fought them off while Marcus made short work of the captains and their officers. In the hold, they found supplies and a hold full of slaves. These slaves were liberated and made enforcers on the captured ships with the pirate crews forced to sail. Some men from the Watcher's Exile were brought aboard and acted as captains and officers

The Elephant and the Goodheart would be the first of many prizes. Along the way, they seized every slave ship they spotted. Being former slaves themselves, the Freed Men agreed that the best way prove to Daenarys their loyalty was to build her a fleet as well as free as many slaves as they could. Against a former warship of the Iron Fleet manned by a hardened crew, the slave ships were easy prey. With each ship, they captured the Freed Men liberated the slaves aboard and most of them were more than happy to join them upon hearing they intended to join the Dragon Queen. If they came upon a pirate ship, the Freed Men wasted no time in pursuing it.

Along the way they stopped at Yunkai to resupply, still posing as slavers, they sold the pirate crews and used the gold to buy provisions and weapons. Derrick had detested the idea but it was the only way to gain safe passage and to obtain much-needed supplies. It was here that they encountered two individuals, Asher Forrester and his partner Beskha who were in a fight with members of a sellsword company known as the Lost Legion The Freed Men helped the pair fight them off after which Asher and Beskha decided to join them since Asher was a fellow northerner like Vagel.

By the time they reached Meereen, the Freed Men had amassed a fleet of 27 vessels including 16 cogs, 10 galleys and The Watcher Exile. When they finally reached the Slave City, the Freed Men prepared to put the final part of Illyllo's plan into action. Posing as slavers and flying the Harpy Banners of Slaver's Bay, the Freed Men's ships were able to enter the harbour without any hindrance from the Mereenese fleet.

The ships used by the masters of Slaver's Bay were mostly galleys and these galleys used a huge number of slaves as rowers. Many of the slaves the Freed Men had liberated came from Meereen so they knew exactly where to find the rowers. So in the dead of night, using rowboats with muffled oars, the Freed Men and the former slaves crept through the docks. While the other Freed Men crept onto each ship and killed the crews, Marcus Sand, Derrick Highwolf, Cendrick Sparr, Vagel Snow, Asher and Beskha killed the guards on watch. Guided by the liberated slaves, the four men fought their way to the pens were the slave rowers were held. Arming themselves with whatever they could find, the Slave rowers then stormed the ships at anchor taking them over and rowing them to the Freed Men's fleet. They also raided any storehouse they could reach and filled the ships with as many supplies as possible before the alarm was raised.

By the time the alarm had been sounded, it was too late. By dawn, Meereen's harbour was empty and the ships it once owned now blockaded the city. Marcus was impressed that Illyllo's scheme had worked. He may not be a warrior but his tactical mind could not be ignored. Not after this.

"How many?" Marcus asked as he looked over the

"About 93 Marcus," Cendrick replied.

"Between that and our own 27 that makes 120 ships in total," Derrick noted in approval, "not a bad number."

"Now all that's needed is for the Dragon Queen to arrive," Vagel sighed, "This could be a while if her following is as large as they say it is."

Fortunately for them they did not need to wait as long as they thought. Just two days later, three ships were spotted in the horizon, 1 great cog and 2 galleys. One slave recognized them as ships from Pentos. Believing that they were slavers The Freed Men sent 6 ships to intercept. unable to outrun the faster ship, the Great Cog was overtaken by The Watcher Exile and quickly boarded. The Captain was brought before the leaders for questioning.

"State your business slaver," Derrick demanded his sword on the man's throat.

"I'm no slaver," the man protested. "My allegiance is to Daenarys Targaryen and if you don't release me, her dragons will turn your fleet to ashes."

Hearing this Derrick lowered his sword, "You serve the Dragon Queen?" He asked in a softer tone.

The man nodded so Derrick raised him up as he and his companions sheathed their weapons, "If that is the case then our interests are aligned." The captain looked at him curiously. "We too are supporters of the Dragon Queen. I am Derrick Highwolf, commander of the Freed Men, and I would like an audience with Daenerys Targaryen.

The captain introduced himself as Groleo and he commanded the three ships that belonged to Daenerys. After joining their ships together, Groleo rowed them ashore where the Targaryen host had just arrived. The rumours were true, her host was massive numbering at least 80,000 strong. Though as they made their way through the camp, they quickly noted that only a fourth of the host were soldiers. These included 8,000 unsullied, 5,000 unsullied boys and 10,000 freed slaves. The rest were women, children old people or simply not fit to fight. Not that they had the equipment to properly arm them anyway.

They arrived at the command tent which was set up in an olive grove and stepped inside. The Dragon Queen wasn't hard to spot thanks to her silver hair. Also in the tent was a bearded man in brown plate armour under a green tunic bearing a black bear, an ageing man with brown skin and almond-shaped eyes, an old man in a brown cloak and a staff, a lithe man with blue hair and a forked beard, and a huge man wearing no armour and baggy pants. Marcus estimated that he was even larger than Areo Hotah. A small girl no older than 12 and finally a stocky young man with a spiked helm and dressed like an Unsullied.

'She is beautiful,' Marcus admitted, "but she seemed to lack Arianna's passion."

Groleo approach her and bowed, "your grace."

Daenerys looked up surprised to see her captain, "Captain Groleo, what brings you ashore?" She asked surprised.

"The fleet blockading the city your grace," Groleo replied.

This revelation took Daenerys and her company by surprise. "A fleet is blockading the city?" Arstan wondered.

Groleo nodded, "they manage to capture the ships at anchor and are now seizing any ship that comes into the bay, ourselves included."

Daenerys looked between her captain and the five men behind him, "did they hurt you."

"Not much your grace," Groleo admitted. "They believed we were slavers since we came from Pentos. Once we cleared up the misunderstanding They voiced their intentions on helping you. I brought the leaders here to discuss it." Danaerys nodded as Groleo took his place at her side along with the rest.

Derrick, however, had noticed the blue bearded man and spoke up, "Daario, old friend."

The sellsword laughed and approached him, clasping his hand, "Derrick you malicious bastard, how long has it been?"

"Not long enough you flamboyant man-whore."

Danaerys looked between the two men, "You know each other?"

Daario nodded, "I use to be a pit fighter once along with these three." He gestured to Derrick, Cendrick and Vagel. Derrick holds the distinction of being the only one who ever defeated me, fortunately not in the arena else I wouldn't be standing here."

"You were a slave?" Daenerys asked,

"We all were your grace, with the exception of Marcus and Asher," Derrick replied. "But I'm being quite rude speaking to a queen without a proper introduction." Derrick stepped forward and bowed. "Queen Daenerys," he began, "I am Derrick Highwolf, commander of the Freed Men."

"The Freed Men?" Danaerys questioned cocking her eyebrow since her own following also called themselves such.

"The Freed Men are a small freelancing company, your grace," the brown-skinned man replied. They do various odd jobs wherever they could."

"Quite so," Derrick confirmed, "as long as the job doesn't betray our moral ethics of course." He then continued, "This is Cendrick Sparr my second in command," He gestured to the man with shaggy hair and a burned face. "Vagel Snow our muscle," he gestured to the huge man with a pinky finger missing from his left hand. "Illyllo Hesten our tactician," he gestured to a slight, elderly man. "And our newest recruits, Marcus Sand, Asher Forrester and Beskha." As each was introduced, each man stepped forward and bowed. When it was Marcus' turn he added. "I'm yours to command your grace."

Groleo then introduced Danaery's company to the Freed Men. "The man in green is Jorah Mormont, Lord Commander of her Queensguard. The old man is Arstan Whitebeard one of her chief advisors. You seem to already know Daario Naharis, Commander of the Storm Crows. Beside him is Brown Ben Plumm, commander of the Second Sons. The girl is Missandei her scribe and translator, The one in the spiked helm is Grey Worm, commander of the unsullied and her guards and bloodriders, Strong Belwas, Aggo, Khogo and Rakharo."

The Freed Men acknowledged them in turn before Arstan spoke up. "Highwolf?" He questioned, "as in Jaddon Highwolf?"

"My father," Derrick replied, and Arstan sighed. "I knew your father, he was a good man. I'm sorry for what happened to him and your family."

Derrick shook his head, "We can't change what happened, all that matters now is our road to redemption.

Danaerys turned to the old man, "who is this Jaddon, Arstan?"

Arstan bowed his head, "Jaddon was a member of your father's court and a close friend of Steffon Baratheon. When they both perished at sea, your father blamed the Highwolfs and banished them from Westeros."

Danaerys' eyes narrowed, "so, have you come all this way to get revenge."

"Revenge?" Derrick wondered, "against whom? Is your father here? If so than I would gladly do so. Alas, all I see is his daughter, a girl born long after my family's banishment. You are blameless your grace, harming you would be pointless."

Danaerys nodded but the look she gave him made it clear that she didn't trust him.

"You're a Forrester?" Jorah asked the young northerner. Asher nodded, "I fought alongside your father in both rebellions. I trust he is well."

Asher shrugged, "he was when I was exiled, but I have had little news from home."

"Why were you exiled," Daenerys spoke up."

Asher smiled sheepishly, "I fell in love with a girl I wasn't supposed to. Our families are bitter enemies and wouldn't except it so I had to leave."

"She's from House Whitehill then," Jorah deduced. Asher nodded and Jorah scowled. "Bolton lackeys," he spat.

"She's not like them," Asher snapped, "she's different."

Jorah said nothing more as Derrick spoke to Brown Ben, "strange, I was under the impression that Mero of Braavos commanded the second Sons."

"He did until recently," Brown Ben replied. but we were defeated in Yunkai and Mero was forced to flee.

"Good riddance," Derrick spat, "shame he's still alive, though it would mean I get the chance to finish what I started three years ago."

"What happened three years ago," Danaerys wondered.

"We met on the battlefield on opposite sides, we were contracted to Lys's army while the Second Sons fought for Tyrosh's forces. We were victorious and In fought a duel with Mero. Gave hin a scar under his eye but he managed to slip away."

"That was you?" Brown Ben asked. Derrick nodded and Brown Ben chuckled. "You pissed him off something awful, would not shut up about it for weeks. Kept ranting on getting revenge."

"I have offered a reward for his head but so far nothing has come up," Jorah explained his eyes on Marcus.

Danaerys studied them intently, "Northerners, ironborn, dornishmen. That is quite the collection of men you have gathered for yourself Lord Highwolf."

"Hardly a lord your grace, Derrick replied with a small smile. "Fortunately slavers don't discriminate, in chains most men become brothers."

"Then may I ask why you wish to join me?"

"We are more than just sellswords your grace," Derrick said simply. "When we heard that the Dragon Queen was liberating the people of Slavers bay we were eager to join your cause. We do not fight for gold and glory we will fight to free every last slave here. and if serving you helps us achieve that goal then that is what we will do."

Danaerys nodded and turned to Jorah, "I must have Meereen Ser Jorah, my people are starving and the city granaries are overflowing."

"It will be a daunting task Khaleesi," Ser Jorah replied. "Those walls are strong and thick and my scouts can find no point of weakness landwards."

"There's now weakness seaward either," Derrick replied answering the queen's next question before it was asked. "I should know we saw as much when we raided the port."

Danaerys frowned, she could not starve them or breach the walls but she was determined to have the city."

"A conventional attack won't work clearly," Illyllo said finally. So it seems we will have to resort to other means." He rubbed his chin and turned to the Queen's advisors, "Castles have secret ways inside not counting the gates and cities are no different."

Brown Ben nodded, "there is such a way" he confirmed. Everyone turned to him as he continued, "the sewers."

"Sewers?" Danaerys wondered.

Ben nodded, "Meereen's sewers empty into the Skahazadhan River. It's how I manage to escape. It was years ago but the memory of the smell is still fresh."

Ilyllo smiled, "Then we have our way in."

Ben smirked, "do not be so sure, The sewage is always waist high at least and infested with huge rats and who knows how much worse."

Belwas scoffed, "Strong Belwas not fear shit or vermin."

"The Freed Men will go too," Derrick declared. "It would hardly the worst job we've done." He turned to Daenerys ask your camp for volunteers. I'm sure many slaves have knowledge about those sewers."

"Excellent," Illyllo smiled, "now all that's needed is a distraction."

Daenerys nodded and gave the order, but before they could continue, a commotion was heard outside. Coming out of the tent they saw the gates of Meereen open and a single rider came forth."

"A champion of Meereen," Jorah confirmed. "Evidently they wish you to send your own champion against him."

The Hero of Meereen rode out in a handsome white charger, clad in pink and white with scaled armour made of copper and jet. The champion had armed himself with a 14-foot lance with a sword strapped to his side. He dismounted and started spitting out insults. as he did this he lowered his breeched and let loose a stream of piss in Danaerys' general direction. Seeing this Her blood riders stepped forward intending to cut the hero down. But their Khaleesi stopped them. Meanwhile, the people watching from the walls jeered at the spectacle

"I know him," Brown Ben said, "his name is Oznak zo Pahl, his family is among the most powerful in the city. He killed a friend of mine, Scard for glancing at a noblewoman, He claimed he was defending her honour since Scarb was raping her with her eyes."

"I'll gladly rape him with his pretty little jousting stick," Cendrick scoffed.

"That cock would look better stuffed in his mouth," Vagel snarled.

"He does seem to have the mouth for it," Asher added.

"In my experience men who talk a lot tend to be all bark and no bite," Derrick noted.

"You say the whole city is watching?" Illyllo asked. Jorah nodded and the old man rubbed his chin before smiling. "In that case, we can use this opportunity."

"What did you have in mind?" Derrick asked.

"Simple," Illyllo replied. "While they're looking over here," He raised his right hand which held a gold coin. "Something's really happening over here.' He raised his left hand revealing a necklace dangling from his fingers.

Seeing the necklace, Danaerys quickly put her hand to her neck and realised the necklace she was wearing was gone and now in Illyllo's hand. 'How?' she thought in shock and fascination, 'he didn't even come near me.'

"So who do you suggest that I sent to fight the hero?" She asked.

Illyllo returned her necklace and grinned, "that depends, which one of you can fight the hero the longest."

"You want to prolong the fight?" Marcus wondered.

Illyllo nodded and Marcus shrugged, "I suppose I can toy with him for a bit."

"Can you beat him?" Daenerys asked.

Marcus smiled, "I was trained by the Aero Hotah and squired for the Red Viper of Dorne." Marcus replied. "this man is a slaver, how dangerous can he be?" He turned back to the hero and smiled, "besides, that is a very nice horse, it would be a terrible waste to kill it."

Daenerys thought for a moment and nodded, "very well Marcus, you will be my champion against this vermin.

Marcus handed Dawn to Derrick, "keep this safe for me." He said and the older man nodded yet his eyes seem transfixed on the hilt.

Daenerys looked at him questioningly, "are you sure you don't need that?"

Marcus nodded, "If I use that sword the fight would be over too quickly, in any case, this fuckface is not worthy of her kiss."

Daenerys cocked an eyebrow in amusement, "as you wish, you have quite an audience so make it worth their time." Marcus nodded and stepped forward a distance away presenting himself to Meereen as the Dragon Queen's champion.

The hero reared his horse and charged, Marcus started walking calmly towards him casually twirling his long axe while he tracked his opponent's lance. They got closer and closer and closer until the Hero was upon him. At the last minute, Marcus whirled to the side, the lance missing him by mere inches.

Marcus let the Hero charge him several times. Thrice more the hero charged him and thrice Marcus dodged his lance. Finally, Marcus noticed that the hero's horse was starting to tire. Seeing his chance Marcus once again dodged the hero but this time, as he spun, Marcus brought this long axe around behind the hero. The backspike hooked itself into a gap in the hero's armour ensnaring it. Marcus gave a mighty pull, the hero was thrown off his mount and straight into the dirt. Marcus walked a distance away to allow the Hero the opportunity to compose himself and draw his sword. Once his opponent was armed and ready. Marcus advanced towards him

While the Meereenese were watching the fight, Cendrick and Vagel led the Freed Men into the sewers. They were joined by Strong Belwas and 20 other volunteers as well as slaves from Meereen including Beskha and Asher. They carried with them as many weapons as possible. With most of the guards focused on manning the walls, this task was made all the easier. Along the way Belwas slew a giant white lizard. With Beskha and the Meereenese slaves as guides, they crept through the city towards the fighting pits and the slave pens and there they waited for nightfall.

The fight proved to be more difficult than Marcus had anticipated. Mainly because it was difficult NOT to kill him. 'Good gods this guy is pathetic,' Marcus thought. 'Any other time and I would have killed this guy easily with one hand.' But he knew his task, keep them watching, keep them distracted.

He used the superior reach of his long axe to keep the hero at bay swatting away his strikes and occasionally hitting him with the butt of his weapon.

The hero seemed to get the feeling he was being toyed with and spoke in common tongue, "are you actually going to fight me or what?"

Marcus shrugged, "I just what you and your family to feel like you're doing well, I'd hate for you to die embarrassed."

Oznak snarled, "I learned from the best swordsmen in Slaver's Bay. You cannot beat me sellsword."

Marcus smirked, "clearly you didn't learn much, You wield a sword as a baby would a rattle."

The exchange went back and forth until the Hero's swings became more wild and desperate. It was now that Marcus decided to finish this game. Dropping his axe Marcus advanced on him with his dagger in a reverse grip. As the hero swung his sword, Marcus sidestepped to the right avoiding the hero's blade then side jumped left. Now in the right position, Marcus drove the dagger down into the weak point in his armour, between the helmet and the scaled shirt.

He landed on the ground and kept walking not even looking back as his adversary swayed for a moment before stumbling to his knees and dropped face-first to the ground. Marcus kept walking to the fallen hero's horse patted it then guided it back to its rider. Above they could hear the cries of outrage and the archers on the walls rained arrows upon him, but the arrows fell short.

Daenerys' host, however, cheered him, The Dothraki screamed, the Freed Men jeered and the Unsullied banged their spears against their shields.

Marcus stepped towards the corpse of the hero and began stripping it bare. Then with a swing of his long axe decapitated his foe. He knelt down and with his dagger in hand, cut off the man's cock that he had used to insult the queen. He then stuffed it onto the detached head. He then took the hero's lance and stuck the head on it. Marcus mounted his new horse, lance in hand and started parading back and forth along the walls of the city with the lance raised high bearing the hero's head.

"Pōja kosh daoriot jurnegon olvie biare, ivestragī īlva lift zȳhon gīs. Syt se kosh hen Mīrīn." (Their champion doesn't look very happy, let us lift his spirit. FOR THE CHAMPION OF MEEREEN.

The slaves were the first to join, "Se kosh hen Mīrīn," (The Champion of Meereen.)

"SE KOSH, SE KOSH" (THE CHAMPION, THE CHAMPION.) Marcus roared.

Now everyone on Danaerys host joined in the chant as Marcus paraded the head before the watching slavers. "SE KOSH, SE KOSH, SE KOSH, SE KOSH," (THE CHAMPION, THE CHAMPION, THE CHAMPION, THE CHAMPION.)

After a while, he stuck the lance into the ground and rode back to the army collecting the dead hero's effects as he did so. He was greeted by a cheering crowd. Arstan, Jorah and the Dothraki nodded in approval while Danaerys' handmaids kissed his cheek.

"We would braid your hair for a bell Marcus Sand, but your hair is too short," Jhiqui said sadly.

"Taking his horse will shame him forever," Rakharo added.

Marcus dismounted and patted his new steed, "I only hope that I gave our people the time they needed."

"I think it will suffice," Illyllo said slyly.

Marcus strode over to Danaerys and handed her the champion's folded cloak. "I know these aren't your colours. But it would make a handsome rug." He looked back at the steed. "Unless you would prefer the horse."

Daenerys shook her head, "you won the horse in fair combat, so it is yours." She took the cloak and handed it to Irri who took it to her pavilion.

Derrick approached Marcus and handed him back his sword. "A fine weapon, Derrick said, "I trust you will [put it to better use in the future."

"You can be sure of that Derrick," Marcus replied as he strapped his sword back onto his shoulder. He looked towards the pavilion and noticed Danaerys mounting her horse and riding off to the freedmen's encampment along with Missandei. Nothing out of the ordinary except she was riding without her bloodriders or any of her guards, save for Arstan.

Marcus frowned, 'She's too careless,' he thought. She believes she is safe amongst the rabble. 'But assassins can hide amongst the rabble.' With this in mind, he draped his cloak around himself and followed her from a distance. his eyes darting back and forth looking for those trying to rush her too quickly.

All around children crowded around her, the word 'mhysa' echoed endlessly as she passed. Many asked for boons and favours. Mothers asked her to bless their babies. 'She revelled in it,' he knew. 'How could she not, they loved her.'

A large cloaked figure pushed past him, a bald man Marcus did not recognize. 'Another man eager for a blessing." Marcus initially thought until his cloak swayed a bit and for a brief second, he saw the unmistakable glint of steel and a hand on it.

Marcus rushed towards him but the figure had gotten to the queen first and pulled her from her horse. "I knew you would come to ave your feet kiss you treacherous sow." The man snarled sword drawn.

Without thinking, Marcus tackled him to the ground sending both men sprawling. Marcus quickly rolled away before getting to his feet and placing himself between Danaerys and her attacker. He drew his sword, Pale white blade for all to see.

The man snarled at him. "Big mistake boy, After I've killed you I think I'll be taking your pretty little sword."

"You're certainly welcome to try brigand." Marcus snarled.

"MERO!" a voice called out, The Braavosi turned and saw Derrick standing behind him sword drawn.

"Remember me, bitch?" The commander of the Freed Men asked. Mero traced the place where his scar was and forgetting about anyone else charged Derrick."

Steel met steel, or rather Derrick's blade went through Mero's like it was a twig.

Mero stared at his sword and sighed "Fuck," Mero said, "I forgot about that blade of yours." He closed his eyes as Derrick sliced through his unarmoured body cutting it clean in half.

"Consider that a lesson unlearned." Derrick spat as he gave the sword a swish sending a splatter of blood across the two halves of the sellsword.

Marcus turned to Danaerys and offered his hand, "did he hurt you?"

Daenerys took it gratefully with trembling hands, "I'm fine thank you."

"Your grace," Arstan called as he rushed forward and knelt. "Forgive my shame, I was lax and allowed that animal to seize you. I didn't recognize him without his hair."

"Your not the only one Arstan," Danaerys said gently. She sighed deeply, "I think I'll go back to my tent now." Marcus nodded and together with Derrick and Arstan they escorted the queen to her pavilion. After the incident with Mero everyone was on alert, and now her Bloodriders accompanied her.

"Compassion is not a crime my Queen, But I advise you to be cautious in the future," Marcus warned.

Danaerys nodded clearly intending to take the words to heart. Back at her tent Missandei plied her with a herbal drink to steady her nerves. Danaerys took it gratefully, 'How are the plans for Meereen coming," she asked.

"Our people have managed to get inside the city and are integrating themselves among the slaves," Derrick reported.

"What will happen once they're inside?"

"Once the hour of the wolf comes, they will strike at the guard posts around the city to prevent the alarm from being sounded." Illyllo explained, "once the guard posts have been pacified it will be a clear path to the main gates and the slaves armed with our weapons can open them from the inside."

Daenerys looked towards the gates of Meereen, I am taking a huge risk with this Illyllo. I hope for your sake the plan works old man."

Illyllo grinned, "by my life my queen I swear by the dawning of the sun the city will be yours."