Tower of the Hand

Daenerys beholds Meereen, larger than Yunkai and Astapor combined and built with bricks of many colors. The soldiers of the city have retreated to their formidable defenses save one champion who rides in front of the walls demanding that Daenerys send a champion forward to challenge him in single combat. Aggo, Jhogo, and Rakharo all insist on meeting the challenge, but they are too valuable for Daenerys to risk losing. Ser Jorah believes they should just leave the champion be, but Arstan argues that refusing the challenge builds courage for their enemies and plants doubts in their allies. He thinks they must accept for honor's sake. Daenerys has bigger things to worry about; she has eighty thousand people with her, but only a quarter are fighting men with the rest being freed slaves that will soon be starving. The rulers of Meereen practiced a scorched earth policy in the face of Daenerys's advance, leaving no food or water. They also placed a disemboweled slave child at each mile marker on the road from Yunkai to Meereen with an outstretched hand pointed towards the city. Daario, leading the van, began taking them down before Daenerys could see them, but she countermanded the order. There were one hundred sixty-three in total. Brown Ben Plumm, the new commander of the Second Sons, tells Daenerys that the champion is Oznak zo Pahl. Daenerys decides his challenge must be met and orders Belwas to fight him. Belwas walks out to meet Oznak, who charges him with his lance. Belwas avoids two charges and then disables Oznak's horse on the third pass. A short melee ensues in which Belwas kills Oznak. Belwas takes a wound, as he always lets his opponent cut him once, so Daenerys sends Missandei to get him a healer. Afterwards, she calls a council of war.

Daenerys sits with Rhaegal, Viserion, and Drogon, while Irri and Jhiqui attend the commanders. Daario is eager to loot Meereen, but Ser Jorah does not think the city can be taken. A siege is not possible due to a lack of provisions or wood to build engines, an assault on the seaward wall is impossible with only three ships, and the defenders can pour boiling oil down on any who would try to batter down the gates. Ben agrees with the assessment, while Grey Worm says his men could batter down the gates, but their losses would be large. Ser Jorah says they should leave the city be as their war is in Westeros. Daenerys sees that as a defeat, but Aggo, Jhogo, and Rakharo argue that those who hide behind walls are the real losers. Daenerys does not like this idea at all, particularly since many of the freed slaves will starve. Ben mentions the sewers that empty into the Skahazadhan, through which he once escaped the city. The climb would be arduous, and he refuses to go, but others are welcome to try. Daenerys thinks this does not sound promising, but will think on it.

As her captains leave, Viserion lands on Ben, and Daenerys observes that the dragon likes him. Ben claims to have Targaryen blood in his family. After Ben leaves, Daenerys's thoughts turn to Daario, who she is starting to take a fancy to. She thinks about marrying him and making him a a dragonrider, but is disturbed by the thought. She finally feels the need for some air and has Missandei saddle Silver. She takes Arstan with her and rides out among her people. She sees some of her Unsullied bathing in the sea and further out Balerion, Meraxes, and Vhagar at anchor. She next rides through the camp of freedmen. Ser Jorah has organized the fighting men into four strong companies, but they are not very disciplined. As she passes, the freedmen call out to her and come up to touch her stirrup or her leg. Suddenly, a man grabs her from behind, wrenches her to the ground and draws a sword. Daenerys realizes it is Mero as he prepares to kill her. Suddenly, Arstan challenges Mero and dispatches him easily with his staff. Upon returning to her tent, Daenerys summons Ser Jorah and asks why she was not informed Mero had escaped. He did not want to worry her. She orders Jorah to knight Arstan, but he refuses the honor, saying he is already a knight. Jorah recognizes him now, and says he is, in fact, Ser Barristan Selmy. Barristan says it is so and reveals that Jorah had been a spy for Varys. Daenerys is hurt and furious at both of them. She orders them both to leave, but has no idea where to send them. Suddenly, she realizes what they must do.¹