Shortly after their departure of Volantis all transformed once more and took flight. They could've used a ship, but that would again cost money and take much longer.
No, they bought a roughly approximate map of Essos and Westeros and started their travels anew. Flying along the coastline and alternating between flying and diving into the water when a ship or fleet was in sight. From the rumours dragons were extinct here, so no sense in gaining more attention than was necessary.
In three days of travel they arrived at their first destination. Lys or the perfumed daughter like it's called also. The city was smaller than Volantis, clinging to the rocks surrounded by the stormy sea. From all the information Harry gathered in Volantis when he wasn't occupied in the bedroom was rather helpful. The city like all Free Cities expect Braavos was involved in the slave-trade. The name Free Cities therefore, is rather ironic. Calling themselves free, but practising enslavement.
None the less Lys was a mercantile city, protected by its high walls and hired sellswords and dominated by wealth rather than birth.
It gave Harry an idea, as to what to do with the remaining Beautification potions. A rich city valuing beauty above all else would be a good place to sell. Though, he didn't go to the brothels, but to the richer merchants or so called merchants princes and Magisters with their concubines. These could pay after all and provide the women with what they needed unlike some brothel and it ensured at the same time that she wouldn't be abandoned once the looks faded, which they now never did.
He sold twenty of the remaining potions and earned himself another million galleons in the currency the Lynesi used and obliviated the knowledge from the buyers after the effect took hold.
One merchant prince and his wife were especially grateful. Tregar Ormollen was his name and at the behest of his wife Jaena, who got one of the potions, guests of their house. It turned out that his wife was insecure about her looks now that she was a fair bit older and even afraid of his concubines of a younger age, fearing she might lose his affection.
Now that Jaena had what she wanted once more the lady of the house insisted that they stayed and have a short vacation. So just like Volantis they stayed a bit, but only a week. Not that it was a chore, the land was beautiful and fertile with palm and fruit trees growing in profusion. The surrounding green-blue water around the manse was a sight to behold.
The next good thing Harry found out one night. It seemed that Andromeda, Narcissa, Marcella and Bellatrix found a concubine purchased from Yunkai who would teach them more about the art of love and needed him as a test-subject.
Apparently the new things they wanted to learn were the sixteen seats of pleasure and the seven sighs among other things, even though they knew six of the sixteen already and the sighs were a little useless for someone who wanted to be there. Harry certainly wasn't complaining.
Harry himself also learned quite a few things, be it in the bedroom or from an Alchemist who explained some herbs and poisons to him and how to make them. The seeds for the plants were the easiest thing to obtain, but costly.
As well as recipes for a good many dishes were added to his cooking grimoire like his wives dubbed it. The thing was now thicker than some Family grimoire on magic and filled with recipes ranging from eastern to westerns and northern to southern cuisine from home and now had some Volantese and Lysene ones too.
One of two black spots was an encounter with a man named Salladhor Saan or some such, that seemed too arrogant and took to many privileges from his wives for Harry's tastes. Though his wives quickly discouraged him from pursuing them with their usual threatening charm. When that didn't work and the annoying guy didn't seem to have any indication to stop Harry stunned him and left him lying in a corner. Should the guy get robbed, well it wasn't Harry's problem he couldn't keep it in his pants.
The other were the numerous attempts to buy Bellatrix, Andromeda, Narcissa and Marcella from him. He pointedly ignored those, but when a woman offered his wives to buy him, well the reactions were not positive.
At the end of the week though they had to depart. Leaving the idyllic shores of Lys behind them.
They made their way towards Westerosi shores. More specifically Oldtown the city of the Citadel and Maesters. From what they heard there was a rather large library on all kinds of subjects. Astronomy, History, Astrology, Economics, War-craft, Medicine and Healing, as well as Magic and many more. Astrology, History, Healing and Magic were the subjects most important to them. Astrology, because the whole sky changed for them and with it the stars and meanings for some rituals etc. History to understand the land, Healing is always useful and Magic was obvious.
From their departure of Lys, the quintet travelled to the group of islands called the Stepstones and from there over a desert. Which, they later found out had the name of Dorne.
No stops were taken expect for rest, eating and sleeping. After three days of travel from Lys out, they arrived at a cliff where a river met the ocean with a pale tower standing near and a castle a little further away.
Finally they arrived at Oldtown with the gigantic watchtower it was famous for, as well as the citadel their group intended to raid of its contents. A new expanded trunk was prepared for it and once night invaded the city, so did they the citadel's library and after the night was gone so were they with an new treasure of knowledge copied.
It was fortunate that the common tongue was essentially English.
Sitting in their room in one of the many inns of the city and read up on the history of Westeros to get a good picture of it. From the First Men until the arrival of the Targaryen's the history was listed in the books. It was disturbing that this land had literally a mad king as ruling head and nobody did anything to stop him. That alone made the decision for them to not settle down in Westeros.
One night Narcissa complained. "Did you notice that maybe a handful of women are mentioned in the history books and otherwise only men?" the book she read was snapped shut angrily as she clamped it closed. She somehow knew it was asked too much to arrive in a society where males and females were equals. Not to mention that the women mentioned were mostly only the typical maidens in distress or simply looked beautiful. The only warrior-women were Nymeria, Visenya and Rhaenys.
"I am more concerned that there seems no place to settle down!" snarled Marcella as she threw her own book against a wall. The thing was full of useless information so it could go to hell for all she cared. "In Essos there are more slaves than free man in Westeros a mad king rules in a reign of terror, women are put down, magic is vilified as evil and in the jungle we arrived was no living soul!" throwing her hands up in the air she sat herself down on a chair nearby.
Andromeda with her arms under her chin laid upon their bed while contemplated their situation. "Well it seems rather obvious what we should do." when all she was met were questioning looks she sat herself up in a cross-legged seat and explained. "The idea of being a sell-sword is not for us, living our life in silence and alone wouldn't be for us as well, I think."
"Yes, yes." Bellatrix interrupted with a wave of her hands. "We know all that already, that is why we came here to look for a king to serve. Only that this one is more insane than I ever was and would use our power for destruction only."
Harry kept his mouth shut that they didn't know the exact level of the kings insanity. It would serve no purpose. "So what do you propose we do, Andy?" asked Harry now finished with changing into his sleepwear, namely his birthday-suit and joined Andromeda on the bed, lying next to her. It didn't matter what arguments he thought of, but his wives seemed intent to deny him any clothes at night. Not that he complained they did the same after all.
'Comes from the many years of repressed urges and desires no doubt' the raven-haired man thought with a mental grin in place.
Cuddling up to him again lying down she saw that all attention was again on her and continued. "Easy we build our own Free City so to speak, but ours will be more like Braavos." now that they had read some books on the history and facts of the land it was easier to decide what was best and what not. Enjoying her second favourite past-time, drawing her fingers through Harry's hair.
Now with more interest Narcissa joined in and inquired. "And were would we go? So far as we know every rock has some idiot lording over it." the point was made when she saw that some 'Lords', she used that term loosely, had only a dozen families in their reach and nothing of other value like mines, fertile land or a good location.
Here Andromeda smiled, stopped stroking Harry's hair and pulled her own book from beside her, where her stack was located. After a bit of search she found it. "Here is what I found to be interesting information. It seems in the region of the Free Cities lies another large city at the river Rhyone all but destroyed."
Impatient and wanting that her sister got to the point Bellatrix laid herself on the other free side of Harry, cuddled up and asked. "What is so interesting about a destroyed city?" so far as they knew on Essos were more destroyed cities than functioning ones thanks to the barbarians that call themselves Dothraki, so one in particular didn't seem all that special.
With a grin in place Andromeda continued as she again played with her husbands unruly hair. She loved messing it up, not that trying to tame it yielded any results. "Well, the city, Chroyane is apparently cursed after the last king Garin of it was killed by the Dragonlords of Valyria and the river rose in response as the curse took effect, flooding it, though some believe that the sickness Greyscale is the curse and not the flooding."
"Greyscale?" asked Narcissa intrigued, always happy to learn more about disease to help find a cure. "I haven't found a book about that yet, but we also only searched for history and geography."
"From what I could gather it is a sickness that mostly affects young people in cold damp climates. It makes the flesh stiff, dead and the skin cracked and flacking. It spreads until the victim is fully encased and goes insane from the constant pain." responded Andromeda grimly as she explained the effect of the disease. There were other nasty ones too, but the Red Death Grandok mentioned seemed to be the worst together with Greyscale and the so called Pale mare.
Just as Narcissa wanted to inquire further a glare from Marcella stopped her. The same then asked. "Why do they think that Greyscale is the curse and not the flooding and what does it have to do with us searching a home?" she wanted to have one as fast as possible.
With a quick motion Andromeda threw the book towards Cissy who caught it and started reading, giving her sister a grateful smile. "Other than the flood a dense fog has settle over the area and hasn't left for centuries, indicating a magical source. We could go there and lift the curse. No one today is brave enough to go near it, because all get lost in the fog or were victims of the Stonemen, which are only people with Greyscale in its end-phase. After the cleansing it is easy to make a ring of fog ourselves, to let it appear still cursed, while we repair the city and make it habitable again." she let that statement hang in the air to let the others think on it.
"It could work." Harry allowed, but he wouldn't make himself too much hope after all the time they now were on the road. Though it wasn't boring he supposed. "But do we need a whole city for ourselves?" the emerald eyed wizard asked as his hand snaked to Andromeda's and Bellatrix's asses, groping them and getting moans in response. He knew they could also take the city they first arrived in, but something about the settlement seemed wrong in the extreme somehow. Even after they removed the Lethifold's.
Shaking her head Andromeda answered, while enjoying his ministrations immensely. "We do not, but the city is ideal and when we finish restoring it we can relocated it to the Red Waste." stated the brown-eyed witch.
"Why would we need to relocate?" asked a puzzled Harry.
The answer came quick enough. "I know you haven't given up on freeing the slaves, Harry." her answer got her a sheepish nod in response.
With a smile she was rummaging around in her pile of books, took the correct one and showed him the marked page. "It has to do with the way slavery is done in Essos." after deep breath to calm down from his actions on her rear. "Most slaves are 'trained'" here she made air-quotations "when captured by these Dothraki. Then get breed, used or sold to another owner, mostly in the Free cities." another moan caused by her husbands actions escaped her, but she held firm. For now. "So you see when we want to destroy slavery we have to begin at the source. Slaver's Bay." She let that statement sink in and everybody gave their consent to it.
"Enough talking about where we settle down!" Bellatrix demanded as she rolled Harry on his back, stroking his cock and kissing him. "We have all the time to plan more in the morning."
Harry only groaned as a response as the other three joined in. He still wasn't sure if it was a good thing he was outnumbered or not. Although, he noticed that Bella grew more demanding at least when sex was concerned, but still waiting for his approval in all other matters. He growled and turned the tables on her. With her now below him and his cock lined up at her wet and ready entrance the Boy-Who-Lived told her. "Impatient little Bella." the next moment his cock was buried inside of Bella's cunt.
She gasped at the sudden invasion, but moaned as he put her legs on his shoulders and pounded into her in a frenzy.
The books soon all lied on the floor as the room got filled with the usual noises, that kept the nearby people of the Inn awake at night, because no one bothered to put up a silencing charm. It would be more suspicious anyway, if they heard no noise for such a long time, when a man was clearly alone with four incredibly hot women.
The next morning it was agreed that they would travel to Chroyane, lift the curse, kill or cure the Stonemen and repair the city to its former glory. A portkey to Essos saw them back at Volantis and with that a direct connection to Chroyane per the river Rhyone. The only problem was that nearly no one would travel the route as far as they wanted. So they had to fly again in their dragon-forms even though the need to remain inconspicuous, which was hard in the form of a thirty feet long dragon who weighs several tons. It was at least faster and after under half a day the group entered into a thick mist and had to land at the riverbank as to not lose themselves in it.
After crossing the river called Lhorulu, that flows into the bigger Rhyone, the mist grew thicker until one couldn't see three meters in front of himself. The only thing indicating a city was here came from the paved road that had seen better days.
"What should we do first?" asked Marcella as the first houses came into view. The architecture was a mix out of ancient Greek with its pillars and some middle-eastern features from the round domes on every other house or tower together with spiralled towers.
Harry answered her. "Well, we have much to do. We can see if we can help the Stonemen or look for the source of the mist. The repairing can only be done then these two are finished." so much was obvious though. Not seeing what needs to be repaired and being in constant danger of attack wasn't an environment for repairs.
Andromeda was the first to respond as she created a gust of wind with a hand gesture, though the wind did little as the mist was promptly replaced. "I am all for eliminating this mist, on the search we will be guaranteed to find some of these stonemen." getting only agreement from her loves the group searched for the source of the mist.
Like with the city in the jungle where they arrived here too was a presence. A weak one, but with concentration it was possible to make out the source. The city couldn't be admired with all the mist hanging in the air and after half an hour they encountered the first of the stonemen. They seemed to be passive, feeble, lumbering, clumsy and witless, while a few others looked mad and aggressive.
It was easy to dispatch of them all with their weapons, while Narcissa used spells with her bow useless in the mist with a too small field of vision. Simple fire spells like the Incendio were sufficient while dealing with the afflicted.
Only one of them was left alive to see if Narcissa could cure him.
"Are you sure that you can cure him?" asked Marcella as she sheathed her short-swords on her back and levitated the bound body before Narcissa who had just opened the trunks with their potions in it. She cast a few diagnostic spells and frowned at the readings, while Harry, Bellatrix and Andromeda stood on the lockout for more stonemen.
Briefly looking up with a concentrated expression on her face Narcissa said absently. "I think I can cure it with our tears until I find a better solution, but that isn't the problem." casting a few other diagnostic spells her expression grew graver by the minute.
"Why?" asked Harry perplexed. "When you can cure it then all is well isn't it?"
Shaking her head the blonde replied. "No. I can cure the disease and disfigurement that is true, but they had it for so long that their minds broke from the pain, much like Bella managed with the Longbottoms."
Bellatrix had at least the decency to look ashamed of her past deeds. Past memories came up again, but her Occlumency repressed all of them concerning Neville, Frank and Alice Longbottom and cast them back into the darkest corner of her mind.
"Can't we just repair their minds through planting a few memories?" it couldn't be so hard to do that, now could it? When Narcissa again shook her head with her hair swinging with the motion the eldest sister demanded with her arms crossed in front of her and pushing her breast up. "Why not?"
Laughing at Bellatrix's expression of pouting to ease the tension Andromeda answered, though from the brief expression of pain on her sister face it was clear she shortly relieved some of the worst experiences from her past, so it wasn't discussed.
"Have you any idea how difficult that would be?" amused she went on. "It is one thing to erase and implant a few memories, but these people have no personality, habits or anything that would help them in their heads." here she grew grave "We would've to build it up from the ground and that is more trouble than it is worth not to mention time consuming and difficult in the extreme. One mistake could do more damage than good!"
With that sombre information processed they killed the stoneman and resumed the search for the source of the mist, while killing every one of them they encountered. It wasn't hard to do with how clumsy the afflicted of Greyscale were. It was more of a slaughter, really.
"I think we are getting nearer to it." yelled Harry over the sound of battle, as he cleaved the head of another stoneman's shoulders. A good indicator, because there were more and more of them the nearer they got. Before them covered in mist like everything else was a gigantic plaza in ruins. The towers stretching into the sky until you couldn't see them due to the dense fog, with something golden glinting in the air at one of them.
"How many of these guys are there?" asked Marcella as she separated the arms of another stoneman from his body, the head followed quickly. She was annoyed that it took so long for them to find a home. It was certainly an unfortunate situation when the best option of a settlement was a ruined city infested with a deadly disease and its afflicted.
It was better than to live in a city with slaves or a kingdom controlled by a madman. Braavos sounded ok, but in the end to build something for themselves was more tempting.
With one last swing of her axes Andromeda cleaved the last of the stonemen in half at the waist and commented. "That seemed to be the last of them." looking around she only saw fog and more fog. Much like it was for the last hours. The group set up some quick wards over the plaza to be not disturbed. They could put up a muggle-repelling ward, but that one only affects people with a functioning mind, be it normal or insane. The stonemen though had only instincts remaining and were more animal than human and so couldn't be affected by it.
The Protego totalum combined with a Fianto Duri was a different matter and was more like a strong dome-like physical forcefield over the plaza. Keeping unwanted beings outside and much stronger than the simple shield they used on the ship of Grandok. Normally the spell had to be renewed every week, but they needn't it for that long anyway. Now they could search in peace for the source nearby.
After the five of them split up and searched for clues as to what could cause the permanent mist. A few minutes passed by with everyone searching and hoping it wasn't too difficult. "I think I found something." shouted Bellatrix to the other four as she checked the area with a few detection spells.
"What have you found Bella?" asked Harry, checking the surroundings himself, but had no results for now. Walking to the eldest Black he heard her mutter the words of her detection spell. "What was that spell you used?" he asked curious and pleasantly surprised. It wasn't something he heard until now.
Cancelling the spell and looking at Harry the raven-haired woman replied. "It is a spell to check for ghosts, spirits and the like you can't see with the naked eye." now completely facing her husband she continued. "The strongest seems bound to the golden thing we saw hanging at one of the towers. We could ask him or her for more information."
With a smile he complimented her. "Good job, Bella." which prompted a blush from her in response. The eldest Black was always a bit embarrassed when genuinely praised much like himself, but none the less proud of it. Still the honesty in his voice made it all the better and sweeter for her, while giving her what she craved. Attention and recognition. While in her thoughts she didn't notice her sister-wives approaching, when they heard them talking.
"So what have you found?" asked Narcissa, who knew immediately that Bellatrix got a compliment or something similar to be in such a state of daydream. A short while later she repeated the question louder, anxious to get this all over with and have a home, much like Marcella. The only things she found was rubble and ruins, nothing of interest.
It was Harry that answered with a grin, while being amused that Bellatrix still reacted that way. "Bella found out that a weak ghost or spirit is bound to the golden thing we saw twinkling at one of the towers." pointing towards the tower in question he went on. "We should be able to get more info from him or her when we enter the astral plain and ask."
Nodding their heads indicating they understood Andromeda, Marcella and Narcissa walked together with their sister-wife who recovered and their husband towards the tower. Like the rest of the city it was in disrepair, but you could still climb the moss and vine covered stairs.
Together with the instability of the whole thing it was quite dangerous, but nothing a quick levitation spell couldn't help with. Once arrived at the window to which a pole was attached from where the golden object hung. It was a cage with a skeleton in it.
"Seems like this is the correct place to look." stated Harry as he sat himself in a cross-legged position with his wives following. It took longer than expected to enter the astral plane where the apparitions of the dead resided or better known as ghosts that weren't strong enough to be seen in the physical plain.
Once in the "Ghost World" like Harry took to calling it the colours of the world dulled and a spectre appeared before them in the cage chanting something about Mother Rhyone. He like all ghosts kept his physical injuries in this form, which were burns and cuts along his whole body. Other than that his condition indicated starving to death. Understandable he was in a crow cage after all, something made specifically for that purpose.
"Hello." Harry called out to the obviously distraught and angry ghost. When he wasn't heard the first time he tried it again until at the third the spectres eyes met his own. Pale misty grey upon emerald green eyes. Harry decided to go with an introduction, one wouldn't want to appear rude. Before he could do that though the ghost responded to their presence.
"What do you want Dragon scum, did you not do enough to my people, my city and myself?" he asked bitterly with an otherworldly quality to it, echoing around them in the silence of the astral plane.
Confused as to the ghosts behaviour Harry explained. "I don't know what you are talking about. We arrived just today and hoped to find a way to lift the fog and make the city habitable again." the only male of the group hoped that the explanation was sufficient enough and that answers would follow.
Still wary of the unknown people before him the spectre reluctantly opened up to them, after Bellatrix threatened him with a spell that would control him and bind him to their commands or banish him altogether. Exorcizing wasn't as gentle as helping ghosts across, but in essence faster.
Piece by piece he told them the story of the Rhyonar and how Valyria attacked and finally succeeded. Though he himself, Garin, cursed them and Mother Rhyone rose and destroyed the city and the attackers. After that the souls of the Dragonlords under the water created the mist with their now cold breath that rose into the air from their watery grave.
After explaining their reasons to rebuild the city and inhabit it again the former prince was only too happy to oblige. With the conversation over they exorcized him and were in search of the ghosts that held the curse in place.
They climbed down from the tower and walked towards one of the many overflowing canals of the city, where destroyed boats were above and under the water in pieces or whole, but rotted. "Seems like we have to dive and look for these so called Dragonlords." said Marcella with a upturned nose and sniff, while staring in the water with her eyes looking in the depth below and trying to see how deep it was exactly. She only got a few verbal agreements from her sister-wives and husband, while casting bubblehead charms on themselves.
Shortly after all of them dove into the waters of the canal in search for the source of the mist, while still in the astral plane. One would think that breathing was not necessary while in another plane, but that wasn't true. The body for the physical, the soul for the astral and the mind for the mental plane were all closely tied to one another and certain impacts on one affected the other two also. So the bubblehead charm was required to not drown still.
While underwater they exorcized as many apparitions as possible to lift the oppressive feeling of hopelessness that their aura generated, much like the Lethifold's did in the city they arrived near from. Piece for piece and ghost for ghost Harry, Andromeda, Bellatrix, Narcissa and Marcella worked their way through.
Like the rest the ghostly population of Chroyane the Dragonlords were also banished into the afterlife. It seemed as if they had no intention to go peacefully and attacked them with mist still coming out of their mouths as they drew non-existent air in their dead lungs. Not that it mattered, like the rest they too were exorcized swiftly.
All in all it took them the better part of two months to purge all the apparitions from the city and the fog began to lift and the level of the water reduced itself to its normal state, after the last of the dead Dragonlords was banished from this realm.
It took them so long because the group also had to deal with the Stonemen. Not that these mindless people were a threat. More like annoyances in the need to be killed and put out of their misery. Although none of them saw the fabled shrouded Lord that was said to rule the land in the mist.
The bodies would be delivered per portkey to the warded area. Harry had plans for the corpses. Making them into Inferi that would guard the city for the time being. It should prove enough with how resilient Inferi were, but it left a bitter taste in Harry's mouth. After all he wanted them to rest in peace. He consoled himself that it wouldn't be long and as soon as they would get living guards all of them would be incinerated forthwith.
The next step was to make ward-stones that would produce the wall of mist to leave the illusion that the curse was still in effect. It was not a difficult piece of magic this time, unlike the Inferi, exorcisms or their shield spells.
The stones were set in a circle one league away and circled around the centre of the city, the very plaza were the golden cage hung, were the main-stone stood. Once activated the mist returned immediately with only a days absence, but the ruse would be discovered once a ship sailed into the mist were it lifted and revealed the lands in all their faded glory.
With the last stone set they walked into their tent. It was nothing fancy and only enlarged inside to fit five people with a bathroom and kitchen. Marcella was the first to stumble inside, strip her clothes and make a beeline for the bathroom with the rest following shortly after. The bathroom and tub were big enough to fit five people, which was what the group had in mind as they bought the tent.
Narcissa gave a content sigh as she slipped into the hot water. "Finally all the Stonemen are dead!" remembering from what she spoke the blonde added "or as dead as they could be and the city is again protected by a wall of mist and prepared for travel." more than two months or moons like it is called in this world needed to purge all this chaos out of the city wore all of them out from the boredom alone.
The others only moaned in reply as the how water soothed their aching muscles after another day long swim in the river to place a few stones. One of the disadvantages of a city surrounded by two-thirds of water. It was done all the same though.
Harry was the first to say something next. "Yeah, but we also have to station the Inferi, repair and also improve the city." it was mentioned casually but one could see him grimace at the thought of the undead they created and repairing all of the buildings. Even with the Reparo spell it would take more than two moons time to repair all of the gigantic city and maybe another two to improve it.
"Do we have to?" whined Andromeda as she massaged her sore arms and legs. Even with enhanced stamina and strength from the rituals and potions, to dive all day with the water surrounding you was draining on ones energy. At least one part of cleaning all this mess up was completed. Though, she knew that they would do the rest of the work anyway.
Chuckling Harry commented. "You were the one that proposed to come here and rebuild the city to our liking." sinking a bit deeper into the tub. Normally at this time and place the group would get kinky, but everybody was too worn out to do anything of that nature at the moment.
Growling a bit at Harry's comment and the others tired chuckling and giggles she replied with a huff. " As if you three had anything better to propose." looking at Bellatrix she grinned and said. "If Bella would have it her way we would rule the muggles here with an iron fist and build our empire with their blood." she chuckled herself as the eldest Black pouted.
Crossing her arms over her breast the black and curly haired woman responded scoffing. "As if these muggles don't deserve it!" sitting a bit straighter she continued "Fighting over inconsequential things and over the pettiest of reasons, too."
Before his eldest wife could work up steam Harry interrupted her in good humour. "Still sore about loosing the war against them Bella?" at her glowering for bringing up that subject he sighed at his failed attempt. "Bella we have been over this." sitting straighter himself he went on. "Such a war was bound to happen if that crazy bastard of a Yankee attacked or not. The Muggles grew, evolved and adapted. Something wizards didn't do since the sixteen-hundreds or something similar."
"I hate to say this" Narcissa began "but until near the second half of the war it looked as if we could've won." seeing that all the attention was on herself the blonde-haired Black carried on. "I mean we had Magic and all the advantages that came with it."
Seeing Bellatrix now satisfied smile Andromeda cut in with one of her own. "I agree" shortly before Bella could grow too smug Andy said. "but more than eighty percent of the wizarding population couldn't even maintain a simple Protego, had no physical fitness and had an all around sheep like behaviour. Without Harry's training we too would've been killed." she hope that Bellatrix wouldn't hold a grudge against muggles.
Especially when they now lived in a world were they again were outnumbered by them. Besides the ones on this world had nothing to do with what happened on the other. Andromeda mentioned as much to her sister.
Bellatrix just grumbled something incomprehensible, but held her mouth closed and with that her retort in check. While all this happened Marcella relaxed so good that she fell asleep. Seeing that the discussion was at an end Harry carried her out of the tub and he and three Black sisters made their way to the bed after drying their bodies.
The next morning it was decided to buy their first batches of slaves that would live in Chroyane if they so wished and help rebuild it. From the looks of things and what the group saw of Chroyane the city could contain one million people. Not something to be accomplished in a single day. Be it repair the thing or populate it.
Narcissa would get slaves from Myr, Bellatrix from Tyrosh, Marcella from Lys, Andromeda from Volantis and Harry from Qohor. Everybody had six million gold pieces from their shared wealth. More than enough to set people free, who in turn would probably be more interested in being free than to live as a slave.
It should be even better when a place was offered to them. A protected one on top of it! Though, the money was only used to show it and not spent for slaves. Harry and his wives wouldn't give slavers a single knut or copper like its called here. No, a few quick charms and the seller would think he was paid and together with glamours nobody would know it was them.
Mostly they would free different craftsmen, Myr for glass-makers and artisans. From Tyrosh armour smiths and fabricators for colours. Lys the famous bed-slaves, which were chosen due to Narcissa and her hatred towards Sex-slavery. In Volantis all kinds of slaves were to be bought and in Qohor Harry would try to get a smith that knew how to incorporate colours into the steel, something Harry had jet to learn.
Then there were the few fresh slaves so to speak. From them as much as possible would be freed and given the offer to join and learn a craft or trade. Farmer, fisher, hunter, smith, carpenter, stonemason and many more too would be bought and the ones without skill would be educated from the ones who had a skill, the one in question wanted to pursue.
Food would also be purchased by them to feed their growing city for the time it is expected to take to repair it and transport it. Harry guessed that all in all thousand galleons would be needed to pay for all the food necessary.
After separating from his wives in Chroyane Harry flew directly towards Qohor and reached it in a few hours time. He could now fly faster, because he knew where he wanted to go. Other than the time he and his wives flew to Oldtown and needed a day for it rather than only a few hours it would've took.
Qohor was situated in the Forest of Qohor named after the city. Surrounded by its high and strong walls, which protect the metaphorical and actual gateway to the Dothraki Sea.
Getting undetected entry was easy with his abilities. Harry just morphed into someone else. His hair turned brown, but got longer and tamer. His eyes assumed the more frequent brown colour. He lost the aristocratic features and they were replaced by plain ones. All in all just one of the many people to whom no one would spare a second glance. Had Harry checked he would've noticed that his pupils stayed in their slitted form.
Not knowing where to go Harry asked on of the many guards of the city. All had the same armour and weapons. Spiked helms with spears that had human hair hanging on them being the most recognizable. "Excuse me, but do where can I find the famous smiths of Qohor?" Harry asked with barely concealed interest.
When the guard didn't move a muscle, not even a twitch that indicated he wasn't a statue Harry was approached by a resident who seemed amused by the sight. "You won't get a reaction out of him so long as his master doesn't orders him to." he explained with a laugh. "Horor Ormaan at your service." it was completed with an over the top and mocking bow.
"Harry Black" Harry introduced himself in turn and inquired. "If you don't mind could you explain to me why it is that they behave like that?"
With that Harry got the explanation of what exactly the Unsullied were and with Horor a tour-guide so to speak. He got explained how the Unsullied protected the city in the past with a few sell-sword companies from a Dothraki Horde of fifty thousand screamers. With their deeds the Unsullied were from this day forward made the city-guard of Qohor.
More unsettling was that these warriors didn't seem to have any shred of self-identity left. Something that determined Harry to free the slaves of their chains even more.
After a two hours of sightseeing Horor and Harry arrived at a gigantic complex that radiated heat from all the forges it housed. "Do you know a master of forging?" asked Harry as they entered, not knowing where to begin searching. All manner of people bustling about in the complex.
"Yes, but I want to ask you something first." at Harry's nod he continued. "Why do you search for a smith? You look fairly well equipped already." inquired Horor curiously, just now giving up on getting any information for free, one eyebrow raised at Harry. Giving the plain man a once over it was clear that no amateur could've produced the armour or weapon.
Smiling the Lord Black answered. "I am a smith myself, but can't incorporate colours into the metal like the smiths of Qohor are rumoured to be. So, I want to learn it from one of them." looking around and taking in the sight of the big forge. Countless smiths working on and perfecting their work.
Now smiling himself Horor replied. "Ah. I knew that something about you looked like a smith." though it wasn't hard to spot with Harry's physique a good indicator. Seeing the high quality armour Horor asked with a gleam in his eyes. "I am curious as to what metal your armour is made out of?"
Not thinking it a bad thing Harry answered genially. "That's called True Silver or Mithril. Tricky stuff to create and costly, but when done right it can be made into weapons and armour of great quality." a touch of pride in his voice as he presented his sword too.
Now truly caught up in the weapon, its unfamiliar design, silver ripples through the black steel and golden runes Horor exclaimed. "That looks like Valyrian steel! Though I have never seen one with such golden runes or silver ripples. Normally the ripples are red, purple and rarely green." The next thing was said with soft awe in his voice, but intently none the less. "And you said you created it yourself!?" The blade looked like some pieces he examined from Westeros.
A bit bewildered by the tone of voice Horor had now Harry answered. "Yeah." tilting his head to the side he asked. "Why is something wrong with it?" not that there was, but Harry wanted to know what got his guides panties in a twist.
"Then where did you get the dragon for the fire to temper the sword with?" Horor demanded, now not really believing this man to be genuine after coming over his shock. Dragons were extinct for a century after all.
Frowning a bit at the turnaround in the atmosphere Harry's eyes widened as he remembered that Dragons were extinct here. Or at least rumoured to be. Thinking quickly Harry assessed his options. One, he could tell the truth and say he hatched a dragon, used its fire and set it free. A story no one here would believe. Two, he could say he possessed magic and demonstrate a bit. Option three would be the obliviation of Horor. Sighing Harry choose the only course of action he was comfortable with.
Holding out his open palm with his knuckles pointing to the ground Harry conjured a bright bluebell flame. "I used a different kind of magical fire." relishing a bit in the shock of the man and letting his thoughts wander a bit.
'Reminds me of the Weasley Twins victims faces. Speaking of which, I have to remind me to play a few pranks on people who deserve it.' Harry could've altered the man's memory of the event, but all magic that targeted the mind was something Harry was reluctant to use. Too easy to abuse in his opinion.
Only now Horor noticed Harry's strange slitted eyes, which gave him an even stranger appearance in the shadow of the blue flames. Looking like a dragon admiring his handiwork of destruction. Gulping the phlegm in his throat Horor responded somewhat warily despite knowing fire-magic from the priests of R'hllor. None of them could wield blue ones with the ease this man seemed to do though.
" I see. So you can create Valyrian Steel all by yourself?" at the end though the touch of awe wormed its way into his words again. By this point a light seemed to go of in Horor's head as the statement seemed to penetrate his mind and his eyes lit up. He dragged Harry in an unused corner of the complex.
"Why are you so interested in this? Are you a smith as well?" inquired Harry with a raised eyebrow and pleased at his bi-polar luck giving him good fortune for today. Otherwise it wouldn't be interesting for Horor, Harry supposed. Or this Valyrian Steel is worth quite a bit.
After getting a positive reply from the now revealed smith it followed an interrogation like only two masters of a craft can do. Horor inquired about the properties of True Silver like Harry called it and what it took to create it, as well as the properties of his magical flames. Upon hearing all what it required to even create the metal Horor was disappointed. After all it took many rare ingredients.
Though, the possibilities to experiment with the magical fire and to create new things with it was enough to convince Horor to come and help Harry in his endeavour. He agreed with the condition that he had to take on apprentices that wanted to learn the craft. He had already three and as long as he could do as he liked and experiment then all was good in Horor's book.
Harry told him to pack his things and be at the gate by nightfall for departure. Next the last Potter wanted one of the famous artisans from Qohor for woodworking. In a few of the stands of the marketplace were beautiful if sometimes grotesque wood carvings. After an hour of search Harry found a man who had an interest in leaving.
Doneo Essen was his name and he would gladly come with him. And with him his two apprentices. The reasons was that Doneo had not a lot of customers due to so many people with his profession. His new artisans were carpenters, something they also needed for their city.
Once the matter with his new artisans was settled Harry explored the city a bit more. For all the exotic things in the city, it also had an equal amount of bad. The god the people here worshipped most of all. The Black Goat of Qohor. 'Rather unimaginative name for a god.' Harry mused as he strolled along the street.
Daily blood sacrifice of animals wasn't so bad if utterly ineffective. On holy days condemned criminals were sacrificed, again not effective. Who would miss criminals expect maybe family? They had no connection to the guy doing the sacrificing, which again made it all pointless. The only effective thing would be the sacrificing of the children from highborn people, but only if their parents or people who were close to them did the deed. Again not effective because the high-priest does it all and has no connection to the sacrifice.
It is true that blood magic needed sacrifice, but not from random people or animals. Rather from the person performing the ritual or spell. It is only a sacrifice if it hurts to part with it, be it a person, object or even the idea or hope of spending time with your child. The higher the pain of losing it the bigger the gain. All the people here did was spilling blood uselessly.
Of course there also could be different meanings to it as well. Like Voldemort's resurrection ritual which would've used Harry's blood. This definitely wouldn't have hurt Voldemort, more like the opposite. It was in the other direction. Not sacrificing something dear to you, but an enemy. Someone who you see as such without the shadow of a doubt. Sacrificing such loved things usually gave protection, while sacrificing hated enemies mostly granted boons of a different nature, depending on what ritual one uses.
'At least only animals and criminals are mostly used.' the currently brown-eyed man thought as he made his way to his penultimate destination before going home. The slave market. It was build up like a stage with an auctioneer that yelled prices. Much like an auction for antiques, only with humans in chains. Harry had to keep a tight hold on his emotions so that they didn't show on his face. Disgust and hate directed at the slavers in particular. Still he had to 'buy' as many as he could.
The auction was only a few minutes after its beginning. It didn't matter what the others offered Harry offered simply more. At the end all slaves but the ones sold before his arrival were bought, which were a good five hundred. Most of them middle aged ones who the owner wanted no longer. Most fresh slaves were first taken to Lys, so Harry counted on Marcella to bring back a bit more. Normally it would cost him something akin to two Galleons per slave. Though when the time to pay came Harry gave the auctioneer a big bag full of rocks that for him looked like gold pieces of his currency.
He commanded all of them to follow him. The last stop before their departure was the market where huge quantities of food were purchased as well as the famous wood for furniture and the like. Livestock in form of sheep, cows, chickens etc. would be acquired once the city was at its destination and ready for the planting of crops, fruits and the wide variety of other plants Harry had stored.
Once outside the city-gates Harry addressed all the slaves from whom he had no idea what they wanted. All five hundred were now standing before him, waiting for orders, most likely.
With a quick shout he began. "Good day to you all." spreading his arms wide. "My name is Harry Black." getting no response Harry pressed on. "I am sure you will ask yourself what type of work you will be doing." nodding heads was the answer. "Then I have to explain it first a bit. You see I myself and my wives want to rebuild a city and obviously need manpower to do so." that seemed easy enough to accept for them. "But," here a few were frowning, muttering and probably asking themselves what he wanted. "I will give you a choice right now." head perked up. "You can choose if you want to come with me or not. Either way no one of you will be treated as a slave, but more like workers. The moment you leave this city you will be free regardless of what you choose."
A fair few left. If it was because nearly nobody knew what to do once free or with no option available Harry had no clue, but suspected a mixture of it in the case of most. Nodding his head he pulled a long rope made into a portkey out of his pockets, which prompted more than a few raised eye-brows. "Ok, everyone who wants to come with me touch a part of the rope!"
While nearly everyone did so immediately a few were reluctant. Before Harry could explain Horor was faster to ask shouting. "Why? What does it do?" it wasn't accusing or otherwise negatively said, but curiously and even a bit giddy.
With a grateful smile towards Horor Harry replied. "It will bring us to our destination in a moments notice." seeing the more than sceptical looks he laughed a little and said more to himself than anyone else, but still loud enough for all to hear. "I guess a demonstration is in order."
First he restored his old looks, which drew gasps from all the people. Next he pointed a hand towards their boxed supplies and fired the portus spell at it. A few seconds later all of them were gone to their point of destination. "Ok, now everyone grab on and don't let go until we arrive!"
All of them picked up a part of the rope. Others albeit more reluctant than the rest. With a command in Parsel-tongue the portkey whisked them all away towards Chroyane and hopefully a better future.