"Then please tell about your situation."
ris saw an opportunity, and her blue eyes lit up. "Our leader is the Tattered Prince, as you might know. The Windblown has 2,000 cavalry, more than twice as many infantry, and military servants, totaling 6,000 people. We operate in various regions and have engaged in recent battles..." ris spoke for over ten minutes, detailing their operations. Whenever she ntioned the Tattered Prince, Dick would nod in agreent, indicating the leader's high reputation within the group.
"What kind of offer can you make ?" Viserys asked, signaling the end of Illyrio's attempt to recruit him for the Golden Company. Illyrio realized this as well, while ris grew more enthusiastic. 'The old man would be thrilled to have soone like Viserys!'
"If you join us, you could be the deputy sergeant-major with an annual salary of about 2,000 to 3,000 gold dragons," ris said, though she felt a bit insecure. She knew Viserys could earn at least 100,000 gold dragons in prize money alone from the tournant. Five thousand gold dragons was insufficient. However, she quickly realized that Viserys wasn't joining for the money.
"Deputy sergeant? Can't you make a sergeant? Master Illyrio here is offering 5,000 gold dragons a year and the position of sergeant with the Golden Company," Viserys said, catching Illyrio off guard. Illyrio hadn't made that offer, but he smiled, not wanting to contradict Viserys.
"Well, it's not impossible, but..." Illyrio began, but Viserys interrupted.
"Let's not talk about that now. I have two conditions. Can you agree to them?"
"Please go ahead," ris said.
"First, I'll sign a one-year contract at most, with the option to renew based on performance. If I don't et your expectations, you can choose not to pay ."
ris glanced at Dick, who nodded. "That should be fine."
"Second, you know my identity. I have a younger sister who is in her teens years old. I want to bring her along."
"Prince Viserys, if you trust , Dany can stay with ," Illyrio interjected.
"I'm sorry, Master Illyrio, but my siter and I must stay together," Viserys insisted.
ris hesitated. While the profession of sellsword had beco more professional, there were still few instances of family mbers accompanying the army. Usually, only those fathers and brothers who were all sellswords traveled together. Nevertheless, ris was determined to make this decision for her captain, even if it ant facing consequences. In her eyes, the captain had given her a second life.
"Fine. When can we sign the contract?" Viserys asked.
"Anyti, but it will take at least a week to get out of Braavos," ris replied.
"No problem."
ris couldn't believe how smoothly things were going. 'The captain would be thrilled to welco such a champion into their ranks!' If only he weren't so attached to his raven, he would have received the news in three or five days at the most.
Seeing that Viserys had decided to join the Windblown, Illyrio abandoned his efforts to recruit him for the Golden Company.
"Master Illyrio, you deal in dragon eggs and dragonbones. Could you help acquire so eggs?" Viserys asked.
"That's no problem, but what do you want them for?" Illyrio responded, curious.
Viserys knew he couldn't hide his intentions any longer. "Of course, to hatch a dragon. What else would I use them for?"
"Oh, uh, okay." The fat rchant was montarily speechless. He realized he needed to reassess Viserys's value. Dragons had been extinct for ages, and even if one hatched, how would Viserys manage it? He sensed the Targaryen madness stirring in the young man's veins.
In addition, Viserys had requested a variety of dragonbone items: rings, necklaces, belts, and other such nonsense. Though these items were worth only a few thousand gold dragons collectively, Illyrio decided to charge him since Viserys now had money.
Viserys thought, 'If you want to be a target, you old man, you have to give gold.' He had no intention of paying.
...
It was almost evening when the Sealord's carriage arrived to pick up Viserys. He and Dany, dressed in her finest, approached the elaborately decorated blue carriage. The axles were embossed with seahorses, and the top of the carriage arched like a turtle shell, adorned with inlaid shells.
Viserys, Dany, and Kyla sat inside the carriage, while Regis rode alongside on horseback, serving as Viserys’s attendant. With his head held high, his bald head gleaming like a golden egg in the setting sun, he looked particularly dignified, almost as if he were the champion of the tournant.
Noticing Dany's nervousness, Viserys took her hands in his own, wrapping them gently. "Don't be nervous, Dany. The Sealord's Palace is nothing. I'll show you even more magnificent places in the future." The warmth of his palms helped Dany relax considerably.
Viserys examined Dany's hands and noticed the light yellow calluses from her relentless swordsmanship practice. She had worn out three pairs of gloves already, though still far from mastering the skill. Yet, she was intimidating enough for ordinary people and showed great promise for the future. As a dragon rider, shouting "Dracarys (Dragonfire)" would suffice; why bother with tactics when you have firepower?
The three of them chatted as they rode, and soon they approached the Sealord's Palace. Through the window, they admired the blue palace, moved by its grandeur. Viserys, in particular, felt a rush of mories from his previous visit when he had secretly t with Ferrego.
Upon arriving, a servant placed a blanket-covered step in front of the carriage door. Viserys was the first to step out, turning to help Dany. They stood at the entrance of the Sealord's Palace, peering inside to catch glimpses of fountains and a tall statue.
Viserys knew it was the statue of the sea dragon. He had morized the layout of the palace during his previous visit. As they walked forward, they glanced at the blue-robed guards, who reminded Viserys of the gold-cloaked guards in King's Landing. It was hard to tell who imitated whom. These guards were clearly elite, exuding a pressure that demanded respect. Even Regis, who had previously been arrogant, appeared a bit subdued. Dany, still nervous, managed to maintain her composure by staying close to Viserys.
They passed through the main gate, traversed the square, bypassed the five-ter-tall statue of the sea dragon, and passed through two more doors, walking nearly twenty minutes before arriving at the "Sealord Hall."
'Luckily it's not the Forbidden City, or this distance would have been just a warm-up,' Viserys thought, comparing it to his mories from his previous life. Through the doors of the Raging Waves Hall, he could see a crowd inside.
"Viserys Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen..." the guard announced.
Viserys felt a brief mont of silence in the hall. As they crossed the threshold, he saw at least a hundred people, all Braavosi nobles. They might not hold real power, but they were certainly from distinguished families.
In an instant, hundreds of eyes turned to the siblings, sizing them up. The scrutiny made Dany's breathing falter slightly, but after months of swordsmanship practice and Viserys' teachings, she quickly adjusted, letting a smile appear on her lips.
"What a beautiful girl."
"What a handso young man."
So of the nobles finally had the opportunity to see the siblings up close and couldn't take their eyes off them. While they observed Viserys and Dany, Viserys observed them in return. The Braavosi nobles, aware that plain black and white clothing was dull, often added patterns to their garnts. Many used gold thread to hem their clothes or incorporate their family's crests, making even black and white attire look shiny and elaborate.
Viserys soon spotted several familiar faces in the crowd: Andersen, Vitus, Tormo, and other mbers of House Fregar.
Tormo and Vithas looked at Viserys with indifference, as expected, but Andersen gave him a aningful glance, as if he had sothing to say. Viserys guessed that Andersen had "figured sothing out."
Among his "old rivals" were also the Roth, who were the first to greet Viserys and Dany. "Lord Viserys, this outfit suits you very well!" Roth comnted, glancing at the red three-headed dragon on Viserys' chest.
"Lord Roth looks very spirited today as well!" Viserys replied.
Dany, initially embarrassed, gradually relaxed under the guidance of thys, who introduced her to a group of noblewon. However, Dany's temperant set her apart. If these noblewon were all flowers of the world, then Dany was like a small sapling—fragile now, but destined to beco soone they would one day look up to.
"I heard that you have decided to join the Windblown?" Roth asked.
"Yes, my siter and I will leave Braavos in about a week."
"Then, if you have ti in the next few days, you must co to my place and let host you."
"No problem. Since Lord Roth has invited , I will definitely attend the banquet."
"The Sealord is here..."
Another loud announcent echoed through the hall, followed by a sound like waves. Ferrego, wearing a blue brocade robe, a crown on his head, and holding a black dragonbone scepter, appeared. Behind him was a priest in a pale robe. As soon as everyone saw Ferrego, they fell silent.
"My lords, this year marks the 623rd anniversary of Braavos' founding. Let us once again thank the Goddess of the Moon for her guidance." He made a circle on his chest, then closed his eyes and bowed his head. The crowd followed suit, praying and giving thanks. The Temple of the Moonsingers remained the dominant religion in Braavos, despite the introduction of other faiths over the centuries.
After a mont, Ferrego looked up and cleared his throat, signaling the others to look up as well. "This is the 200th celebration in Braavos, and this celebration is different from the past. A na will be rembered."
Ferrego pointed towards Viserys, and the crowd turned to look. Most were envious or admiring, though a few cold glances ca from House Fregar.
"Lord Viserys has composed three songs that will be sung for centuries to co. In appreciation, I will increase the prize money by 50,000 gold dragons!"
"Mm!"
"Yes!"
"It's only right!"
"That's it."
The crowd responded with a chorus of approval. Viserys thought it would be nice if they clapped their hands; it would make the atmosphere less strange. Judging by the situation, it was his turn to speak. He stepped forward and addressed the crowd:
"Thank you, my lord, for your kindness. This is the least I could do." He glanced at Dany before continuing. "When House Targaryen lost the Iron Throne in the War of the Usurper, Braavos took in my sister and . Three songs are not enough to express my gratitude. Braavos will always be my second ho!"
"Well said!" Roth was the first to applaud. The others whispered among themselves, their eyes on Viserys changing once again. He spoke eloquently, truly a worthy descendant of the Targaryens.
Ferrego smiled and clapped his hands. Two maids erged, each carrying a tray covered with blue brocade. The raised shapes underneath revealed the hidden treasures—a dragon egg and a long sword!
'My dragon egg, my Valyrian steel sword!' Viserys couldn't help but feel excited after all his planning.
"Please, our champion, co and claim your prize!" Ferrego announced.
The maids knelt before Viserys, holding the trays above their heads. With everyone watching, Viserys lifted the blue brocade, revealing a green dragon egg. The crowd craned their necks to get a better look.
Dany had seen one before at House Zalyne, but this one was different. It was truly theirs.
Viserys carefully held the egg up, his excitent barely contained.
Assignable Points: 11.5
'Hmm? 11.5. It seems the quality of dragon eggs varies,' he thought to himself.
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