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The entire city of Meereen had been brought under control.
By evening, a messenger bird arrived with news from Yunkai too and Freydron, as expected, had successfully taken over the city.
Though the message lacked detailed reporting, it mentioned that their forces had suffered somewhat heavier losses in Yunkai compared to Meereen. This was attributed to the absence of Lord Aeos.
His presence in Meereen had completely demoralized the masters while simultaneously inspiring the slaves and smallfolk to rise.
In contrast, in Yunkai, even after the city walls had been breached, the masters mounted one final resistance, during which the Astapori army sustained casualties. Even so, it was not very significant and was within the tolerance limit.
The first act Jon carried out upon taking the city was the most natural one, abolition of slavery. Not very surprising.
Yet again, the same policy used in Astapor was implemented here, any slave, if willing, could continue to work for their former master, but now as a free person earning a monthly wage. And this regulation was to be followed with complete strictness.
In addition, Jon issued two imperial decrees. The first appointed Asmund as the Governing Commander of Meereen, and the second named Freydron as the Governing Commander of Yunkai.
It was a temporary measure aimed at establishing peace in both cities. But now that Jon had three cities under his control and with that number only expected to grow, he needed to devise a permanent system of governance.
After all, he could not be present in every city at once.
"My Lord," Asmund said as he and Jon walked toward the mansion atop the Great Pyramid of Meereen,
"Birds have been sent. As per the pre determined arrangement, two administrative teams will depart for Meereen and Yunkai tomorrow from Astapor."
Jon gave a brief nod. Now that a proper administrative system had been established in Astapor, there was no need to build everything from scratch in the other two cities. That initial setup had taken considerable effort and countless hours of fine tuning. It had been a great hassle for Jon and he was in no mood to repeat all those same things over and over again.
Even before they had begun their march, two such administrative teams had already been formed. They were experts from the various departments he had set up. They would soon arrive in these two cities and take charge of civil affairs in Meereen and Yunkai.
To avoid isolating or alienating the local population, these teams would act only as guiding hands helping to build⁷ capable groups of local administrators, rather than replacing them entirely.
"We are still assessing our casualties," Asmund went on. "We are tracking losses on both sides. Our own men, injured and perished and those of the Meereenese army."
"A full report on the battle will be ready by tomorrow evening."
He paused briefly, then added, "The Great Masters who surrendered have been detained in one of the mansions. They are being treated well."
"Few of them have been pleading for the past couple of hours to meet you," he added after a moment of hesitation.
"Leave them there for at least a week," Jon replied after a moment's thought. "Once the situation stabilizes, I will meet them at that time and decide their fate."
"And the soldiers who surrendered?" he asked.
"They have been gathered in an open ground near the port," Asmund answered.
Jon nodded again. "Separate them into two groups. Those willing to remain serve as soldiers under my banner, and those who want to leave."
"Those who want to leave will be allowed to go in a week or two, depending on the circumstances. As for those willing to continue," he added, "separate them again into two groups. Slaves and free men."
"Yes, my Lord," Asmund replied, understanding the unspoken caution.
"None of them are to be inducted directly into our ranks. They will undergo training first and keep a close eye on them. I will not suffer traitors in my army. Only after making sure that they are loyal to me and our cause, will they be inducted."
Asmund nodded again, this time more firmly. This was a big responsibility but Asmund was confident in his judgement.
"Relay the same orders to Freydron," Jon added.
"It will be done," Asmund affirmed.
By then, they had reached the mansion atop the pyramid. It had once belonged to Meereen's richest and most powerful master. The man had been foolish enough to resist until the very end. For his defiance, he had been granted death.
Grey Worm stood guard at the entrance. He gave a crisp bow as Jon approached.
"My Lord," he said, "we have conducted a thorough search. The mansion is secure and ready for your occupancy."
"The family of the master has been shifted to another one of their mansions," Grey Worm informed.
Jon gave a brief nod and continued walking, with Grey Worm and Asmund following behind. Supreme Shadows stood at firm attention all around the mansion, their presence a silent but imposing assurance of his safety.
The mansion was exactly as Jon had expected. Lavish and extravagant. But he had little interest in its luxuries.
He took a brief tour of the estate and then halted at a certain section, drawing an invisible line in his mind.
"This part of the mansion is off limits," Jon declared. "No one is to cross this boundary without my direct permission."
Grey Worm and Asmund exchanged a quick glance, visibly puzzled by the order.
"I want guards posted here, day and night," Jon added, his voice resolute. "No lapses. No negligence. I expect absolute vigilance."
"Yes, my lord," Grey Worm replied immediately, without questioning the order.
With that, Jon stepped toward the restricted section of the mansion. As per his command, Grey Worm and Asmund did not follow and returned back to follow the orders.
This part of the mansion opened onto a vast terrace. An open expanse built into the side of the Great Pyramid.
From here, the entire city of Meereen sprawled beneath him like a conquered sea of stone and dust. It was the highest point in the city. No building, no tower, no temple stood taller than this terrace.
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