In Astapor

Jon Snow was sleeping soundly when a sudden jolt of the ship waked him up. He woke up groggily to see Slyvia also rising from her makeshift bed.

He got up and opened the lock on the door and walked outside his cabin towards the ship deck.

What greeted his eyes were crumbling red brick walls of a city. These red bricks had provided the name Red City to Astapor. It was said that Blood and Bricks have built the city of Astapor. And the blood of the slaves had turned the bricks into its red colour.

Because of the crumbling buildings and walls, a layer of dust appeared to cover the city from the eyes of Jon Snow.

Behind the wall were pyramids like structure which housed the rulers of the city. The Good Maesters of Astapor.

Astapor was one of the three slaver's city, located on mouth of a river called Worm. It was the southern most of the three city. Famous for its slaves, particularly the Unsullied, a type of warrior slaves, Astapor was a rich hub of slave trading.

Astapor was a heaven for people trying to search for soldiers with discipline and training and had enough gold to spare.

Though Jon Snow had arrived here not with the intention to buy the slaves but to take iver the city. And this he was going to do by taking a page from Danereyes's book from his previous life.

Jon was busy in gazing at the crumbling statue of harpy at the port gate when a port bellied arrived in front of him.

"Hope you have had a pleasant journey, Lord Aeos," said the main with an irritating grin and greed easily visible in his eyes.

Jon had decided to use the Aeos, a combination of Aegon and Snow, not exactly, nodded his head.

The man was one of those merchants for whom nothing was more important than money. Jon had hired his services to bring him to Astapor from Sunspear.

He took out a small pouch from his breast pocket and tossed it towards the man. The man caught it quickly and took a quick peek inside to confirm its content.

Feeling satisfied he nodded his head, "Thank you, Lord Aeos. If you ever require my services again you will find me at this port."

Jon nodded and walked towards the staircase which had been placed for men and the cargo to get down the ship.

Slyvia followed him behind. The duo had walked a few steps when Slyvia questioned, "Why are we here?"

Jon casually remarked, "To get an army."

"Army?" Slyvia questioned with a frown.

"Yes," replied Jon. "An army of unsullied. They are believed to be the greatest of the soldiers in the entire world. From a very early young age they train and train. They are soldiers at a pinnacle of discipline."

Slyvia questioned, "They are slaves then?"

Jon nodded, "For now, yes."

Though Sylvia did not quite understand what Jon meant by saying from now, she did not question further on this topic.

"And what are we going to do with tha army?" Asked Slyvia.

Jon laughed, "Didn't I told you that, I will build an empire? I believe an empire sure needs an army."

Hearing this Slyvia's face showed an incredulous expression on her face. When Jon had told her those words, she had mentally laughed at it. During the entire journey, she believed that Jon was some kind mercenary who belonged to a rich family.

But now she understood that the kid even younger than her was serious in what he had said.

Slyvia followed behind Jon with the same incredulous expression.

The irony of Astapor was that despite having the most elite army it was one of the most easily conquerable city.

The walls were thin and weak. The outposts at the walls were not manned.

Jon and Slyvia continued their walk for some minutes before they teached one of the most iconic place of the City. The Plaza of Pride.

It was the market place where slavers showed their slaves and customers bought them.

Jon and Slyvia watched the market or the plaza in curiosity.

Finally there eyes caught the nailed slaves to harpy. It was the Plaza of Punishment where any slaves who disobeyed their masters were punished.

Any newly recruited slave was walked around this place so as let them understand their fate if they dared to disobey.

Jon felt uncomfortable witnessing the brutality and Slyvia was almost nauseous. Death was a mercy those punished slaves were craving.

Jon was sure it was not becuae they had disobeyed their masters. After witnessing such brutality, who would dare to do so?

It was the arrogance of the masters and a mere whim of their thoughts that made these slaves suffer such fate. It was just a method to keep the slaves reminded of their place in the society.

Getting out his daze, Jon took hold of Slyvia's hand and dragged her with him further inside the town.

After searching for a few minutes, Jon found out an inn.

He walked to the an old man sitting on a stool outside the hall and spoke in the Low Valyrian, "I need a room."

With the help of the crew and with some money as fees, Jon had been able to learn the Valyrian language easily on the ship on his way to Astapor.

With his enhanced brain it had not been a difficult task at all for Jon Snow. Even Slyvia had learned sufficient enough to navigate in an unfamiliar territory.

The man looked up and with a grim face answered, "1 silver a day."

Jon did not answer but stared at the old man for few moments while his hands moved to the hilt of his sword.

The old man relented, "1 silver for 3 days."

Satisfied with the answer, Jon nodded and took out a single gold coin and placed it on the table next to the old man. The man's eyes widened in surprise seeing the unmarked golden coin and he hurriedly picked it up.

"I believe it will cover for all the days we will stay," said Jon. "Show us our room and prepare water to bath for 2 people."

The man nodded fervently. He was more than eager to serve such a rich customer.

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