The sun hung low over the harbor of Tyrosh, staining the water a deep orange. The smell of salt, spice, and tar filled the air as the Black Lions moved through the docks like a tide of disciplined chaos. Crates were being loaded, animals fed, children herded toward the ships, and the elephants—gods help the dockworkers—were being coaxed onto reinforced ramps.
Vaelorion walked at the center of it all, Blackfyre strapped across his back, the great black lion padding beside him. Diana kept pace at his right, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation as she watched him inspect every detail.
"You know," she said, "most commanders would let their quartermasters handle this."
Vaelorion snorted.
"Most commanders aren't trying to move half a damn kingdom across the sea."
"Fair."
They approached the counting house where the magister's representative waited. A thin, nervous man with ink-stained fingers and a scroll tucked under his arm. He bowed so quickly his spectacles nearly fell off.
"Captain Vaelorion, Lady Diana your payment, as agreed."
He handed over a heavy purse and a sealed ledger. Vaelorion weighed the purse in his hand, raising a brow.
"Feels heavier than expected."
The man swallowed.
"The magister… ah… added a bonus. For the speed of your victory. And the… ah… elephants."
Diana smirked.
"Told you trampling their enemies would impress someone."
Vaelorion grinned.
"Good. Maybe next time they'll pay us before the job."
The representative cleared his throat.
"Also, the magister recommends a shipwright named Master Corvanno. He deals in larger vessels. Says he can offer you a fair price."
Vaelorion nodded.
"Good. We'll need something big enough to haul the rest of the animals. And the children. And the Lionesses' ridiculous amount of gear."
Diana elbowed him.
"We pack light."
"You pack like you're invading a kingdom."
"We are."
---
THE SLAVE MARKET
They left the counting house and made their way toward the slave market—though Vaelorion always felt a knot in his stomach walking through it. The cries of auctioneers, the clink of chains, the hollow eyes of the enslaved… it all made his blood boil.
Diana watched him carefully.
"Remember," she murmured, "we can't save everyone."
"I know."
His jaw tightened.
"But we'll save who we can."
They approached a group of farmers—broad-shouldered men and women from the riverlands of Myr, chained together. Strong hands, weathered faces. Survivors.
Vaelorion stepped forward.
"How much for the lot?"
The slaver opened his mouth to haggle, but one look at Vaelorion's size—and the lion beside him—made him reconsider.
"A… a fair price, my lord."
Vaelorion paid without blinking.
"You're free now," he told the farmers.
"If you want a home, come with us. If not, we'll give you coin and safe passage."
Every one of them chose to follow.
THE SHADOW CATS
As they turned to leave, a commotion caught Vaelorion's attention. Two Northerners thick furs despite the heat were arguing with a merchant over a cage.
Inside were three shadow cat cubs, their spotted coats shimmering in the light, their eyes bright and wild.
Vaelorion's heart leapt.
"Diana."
She sighed.
"No."
"Diana."
"We already have lions, panthers, jaguars—"
"Shadow cats."
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Fine. But you're feeding them."
Vaelorion approached the Northerners.
"How much for the cubs?"
The older man eyed him up and down.
"You planning to eat 'em or raise 'em?"
"Raise them."
The Northerner grinned.
"Good answer."
Vaelorion paid in gold, then pointed toward the harbor.
"Send them to the big ship the Black Emporium."
The Northerners blinked.
"The what?"
Diana answered dryly.
"The ship full of elephants, big cats, and whatever else he's collected over the years."
The men stared.
"Gods preserve us."
THE BLACK EMPORIUM
The Black Emporium was a monstrous vessel reinforced decks, wide holds, and cages built to hold everything from goats to panthers to the elephants themselves. It smelled like hay, fur, and adventure.
Vaelorion watched as the shadow cat cubs were carried aboard, mewling and swatting at the air.
A warmth spread through his chest.
"They'll like Westeros," he murmured.
Diana folded her arms.
"You're thinking about the children again."
He nodded.
"I wish we could do more. I feel selfish leaving Essos. There are still so many people suffering."
She placed a hand on his arm.
"You're not abandoning them. You're building something better. A place where they can come. A place where they'll be safe."
Vaelorion looked out over the harbor the ships, the animals, the people he'd saved.
His people.
"Buy every slave we can afford," he said quietly.
"Any child, any family. Anyone who wants freedom."
Diana smiled.
"Already done."
He exhaled, steady and determined.
"Then let's finish this. Westeros won't wait forever."
And with that, the Black Lion turned toward the sea toward destiny.