As a port city, Astapor was not as prosperous as Qarth, but its daily cargo throughput was still staggering. It was famous for producing the Unsullied, with nobles and pirates from all over the world coming to buy them every day.
The entire city was mainly built of red brick, with stepped Pyramids everywhere, their bases covered in green vines.
The docks were bustling with noise, shouts rising and falling. Cargo ships filled the shores, and workers were busy moving goods.
Following the advice of a merchant supervisor captured from Zaro's estate, Daenerys first had the ships dock collectively at the edge of the pier, planning to unload and complete transactions at the center of the docks after contacting buyers.
Jorah took Ago to scout for news of the Masters, as the Unsullied were all trained by them.
Daenerys strolled through the docks with her other two Bloodriders, Rakharo and Kovarro. After shrinking, Drogon still stood on her shoulder, stretching his head to look left and right. With his close protection, Jorah felt safe enough to go find the Masters.
Rhaegal and Viserion circled high above their heads, drawing dockworkers and merchants to look up in awe, marveling at the miracle of the True Dragon's rebirth.
Daenerys had originally wanted to lock them in the cabin, fearing it wouldn't be safe to bring them out. With dragons, it was inevitable that "heroes" wanting to be dragon slayers would emerge. Moreover, with Drogon's previous prophecy, Daenerys was afraid it would come true in Astapor.
However, after hearing Drogon's mental message, she left the two dragons to his management, letting them circle at a high altitude. Arrows from here couldn't possibly reach that far.
And Drogon was no pushover; if he noticed anything wrong, he would definitely stop it immediately.
Now, Daenerys was far from what she used to be and could freely spend money to buy herself some trinkets.
After tasting some honey dates, she walked along eating a black sausage, not forgetting to occasionally give a bite to Drogon on her shoulder. This bit of sausage was certainly not enough for him, but it was a nice snack.
Besides tasting delicacies, Daenerys also bought two pieces of fine imitation silk, a green brooch, and a handful of pearls to decorate her room.
"Clatter, clatter..."
A fist-sized ball covered in painted designs suddenly rolled to Daenerys's feet, making her stop.
In front of her, a seven or eight-year-old girl in rags looked at her timidly, wanting to come over but hesitating.
Daenerys smiled at her and bent down to pick up the ball. Just as she was about to hand it to the girl, the girl gave her a sweet smile and made a twisting motion with her hand.
Daenerys was stunned for a moment. She looked at the girl inquiringly and gestured with her hand, asking if she should open the ball.
Watching the eye contact between the two and seeing the girl's pure smile, a bad sense of familiarity surfaced in Drogon's mind. He flew up and kicked away the ball that Daenerys had half-unscrewed.
"I am so sorry," a low, deep voice that only the little girl could hear came from her mouth.
The ball fell to the ground and opened. A dark green beetle slowly unfurled its body, its scorpion tail arched high. The stinger, shimmering with blue-violet light, trembled incessantly. Its lowered head slowly rose, revealing a malicious face that closely resembled a woman's.
The Manticore immediately crawled toward Daenerys upon seeing her, moving with incredible speed.
"Clink!"
Just as Drogon was about to breathe Dragonfire, a sharp dagger struck the Manticore right in the center, pinning it. The Manticore struggled for a few moments before dying, drops of green venom dripping from its body.
Looking back, the little girl had already disappeared into the chaotic crowd.
"Your Majesty, I hope I didn't startle you." The person holding the dagger removed his black hood, revealing a gray-haired, slightly aged face.
"Khal Drogo!" Daenerys's Bloodriders finally reacted, shouting as they moved to capture the old man with the dagger, but Daenerys stopped them.
Although Drogon wouldn't have let the Manticore get close even without the old man, he had helped her after all, and he didn't look like he was with the little girl.
"Your Grace, what happened just now?" Pushing through the chaotic crowd, Jorah and Ago ran over hurriedly. They had just returned and saw Daenerys in the panicked crowd.
Running to Daenerys's side and seeing the old man before them, Jorah froze.
Seeing Jorah's strange reaction, Daenerys asked, "Ser Jorah, who is he?"
Jorah took a soft breath and said, "He was once a Kingsguard for King Robert, and also for your father, Aerys. One of the greatest warriors in Westeros, known as Barristan the Bold."
"Your Majesty, I failed to protect your father and failed to uphold my white cloak vows. Please allow me to serve as your Queens Guard and fulfill my unfinished duties. This time, I will protect you by your side until death." After speaking, he knelt on one knee and bowed his head, awaiting orders.
Looking at Barristan swearing fealty, Daenerys's chest heaved, and it was difficult for her to remain calm for a long time.
She felt the lingering protection of her father; House Targaryen had not been forgotten by the Seven Kingdoms, and she had not been forgotten... "Ser Barristan, I hereby accept your fealty. Bear your Kingsguard vows in mind, and I shall not fail your loyalty." Barristan rose and stood behind Daenerys.
"Your Grace, the one who just tried to assassinate you should be a Sorrowful Man, from an ancient guild of assassins in Qarth. Manticores are their usual trick. Before they are about to succeed, they often whisper, 'I am so sorry,'" Barristan said to Daenerys.
"Who hired them to kill me? And using a little girl," Daenerys asked Jorah.
"It's hard to say. Perhaps the Sorcerers who lost their power, the hypocritical royalty, or the ill-intentioned remaining Eleven Magisters," Jorah speculated after some thought.
"That probably wasn't a little girl, but a dwarf in slight disguise. The Sorrowful Men rarely fail an assassination, and if they do, they won't come again," Barristan added.
Hearing this, Daenerys and Jorah gradually felt relieved.
"Your Grace, I have already contacted the Master Kraznys. He is waiting for you at the Plaza of Pride, where a thousand Unsullied are waiting to be sold," Jorah said, reporting the results of his inquiry.
"Good, let's go take a look." Daenerys was in a great mood and led the group toward the Plaza of Pride.
On the way, Jorah walked and cautioned Daenerys, "The Astapori have long forgotten the ancient Ghisc language and use Low Valyrian. After Your Grace arrives, do not reveal that you can understand their language; it will make it easier to negotiate the price."
Daenerys nodded and then asked Barristan for news about King's Landing.
Besides the things she had heard before, he also brought new news: King Robert's brother Stannis was defeated at King's Landing, and Tywin revoked Tyrion Lannister Tyrion's position as Hand of the King, taking it for himself.
The new king, Joffrey, broke his engagement with Sansa, the eldest daughter of House Stark, and got engaged to Margaery, the Little Rose of Highgarden.
[The Tyrion Lannister isn't far from running away; I'm really looking forward to it! The little monster Joffrey's death isn't far off either.] After Barristan finished speaking, Drogon muttered in his heart.
Daenerys had grown accustomed to Drogon's unusual complaints. She didn't expect Tyrion Lannister Tyrion to be removed after not being Hand of the King for long, and even face the risk of fleeing. Could there be some major change in House Lannister?
And the new king, Joffrey, would actually die? What kind of assassin could kill him while he was deep within the palace?
Arriving at the Plaza of Pride with these questions, the massive Harpy statue coming into view caught everyone's attention.
The statue was entirely golden, with a woman's face and an eagle's body, and a terrifying scorpion tail arched high. Its claws were in shackles, bound by iron chains.