Chapter 40

Astapor, once ruled by the Good Masters, had prioritized the export of Unsullied and other slaves, while paying little attention to agriculture or industry—which they deemed beneath them. As a result, after Drogo took control, the food needed to feed tens of thousands mostly came from the reserves hoarded by the masters.

The Good Masters could afford their extravagance because the three major powers of Slaver's Bay—Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen—had long cooperated to monopolize trade in the region. With this alliance, they had no reason to worry about supplies.

Now that Astapor had changed hands, the interests of the Wise Masters of Yunkai and the Great Masters of Meereen had been severely impacted. Naturally, they refused to recognize Drogo’s freedom-centric reforms. By cutting off Astapor’s trade routes, they were sending a message: bring back slavery and we can talk. If not—then starve, or flee.