Westeros opposed slavery and strictly forbade the slave trade. This was an ironclad law laid down by Aegon the Conqueror, and one of the few principles on which the Iron Throne and Braavos could agree.
In this life, he had not only read descriptions of slavery in books, but also heard Septon Eustace recount the brutal tales of Slaver's Bay in Essos in detail during his lessons. Yet this was his first true encounter with a slave ship.
The men and women, young and old, confined in the lowest hold, the welts around their wrists, their empty, despairing eyes-all of it was more real than any description in a book, and more infuriating than any story told in a classroom.
"Slaves exist everywhere except our Westeros and Braavos, where slavery is expressly forbidden." Daemon's reaction was unremarkable.
He was certainly no stranger to slavery. The war in the Stepstones had made him well versed in campaigning and battle, and earned him enemies among many people from Lys, Tyrosh, and Myr. But it had also won him the friendship of many Pentoshi.
During that time, he had often been invited to Essos for feasts and "financial support." When those wealthy Pentoshi merchants entertained him, the slaves attending them often outnumbered the dishes on the table.
He had seen far too many slaves. In Lys, Myr, Tyrosh, and throughout Slaver's Bay in particular, they were practically everywhere, with no more standing than livestock. In some places, a good horse cost as much as several slaves in their prime.
Still, the slight furrow in his brow betrayed that he was not entirely comfortable with it.
The aversion to slavery ingrained in the people of Westeros had not been wholly worn away, even in the Rogue Prince.
"Shall we go down and have a