Ascalon (Pentos)
"State your business and wares, " A middle aged clerk rather demanded .
"Davos, here to buy grain in coin and also in exchange for wine ,salt and sea crabs"
"Sea crabs, wine and salt? " the man repeated while writing in his rather larger log which he held up rather surprisingly.
"We will need to confirm the contents of your ship under your observation of course , any damage done will be compensated. " The man stated looking rather unperturbed by the reactions of the crew and davos.
"Of course harbor master." Davos answered
"I am not the harbor master just one of the many Bay clerks" the man said in a matter of factly tone .
Davos though understanding of the changes made by the new ruler nodded to his response. Not only to the landscape around but also of the bureaucracy now in place from the former one , starting from the bottom with this clerk it seemed .
How could he put it . It was more orderly he had internally commented and rather "more secure".
He wondered how the red woman might've fared here as he was told that other religions were not taken to lightly but to continue prosperous trade this new empire had dialed down on its disapproval and discrimination of other religious entities especially since most of its citizens worshipped different religions and were slowly being converted.
Though speaking of her he thanked the king and the Gods above that she stayed where she was as ordered by stannis , the blasted women seemed rather reluctant to take the journey here nonetheless it was rather if not surprisingly rare to seeing the woman showing fear even with all the cruelty and deceit she has committed in the "lord of lights name".
"Mathos show these men to the hold"
he told his son.
"Aye father" His boy beckoned the clerk to follow with his two guards in tow.
— — —
"Pentos!"
"Pentos?"
"Robb stark , stannis , renly, balon greyjoy. All enemies to the iron throne it is not in our interest to gain more . The iron throne has been creating ties with the east even in the days of the mad king trades with them have doubled to what it is now, it is not wise in our interest to make an enemy of those who do not think of us as such, especially with a nation of violent conquering tendencies " Tyrion commented
"It's Ascalon now lord hand " the grand maester pycelle informed tyrion who only looked at the man annoyed.
"This new empire in the east continues coercing with our enemies, providing them with food , oil, finished goods and even steel." Lord Baelish the master of coin informed
"So is Myr , tyrosh , bravos, lys and the other free cities. Its called mutual trade lord Baelish" Varys opposed the other's statement while gazing at the man.
"Well lord varys you should know as much " baelish subtly taunted before continuing
"And you should know that out of all the kingdoms this so called empire has been trading with the north the most since its settlement."
"Grain, fruits and meats for coin , copper ore, iron ore, furs, lumber and coal . All of this exchange enabling rob starks army to be supplied even more than it was before" Baelish finished.
Well baelish knew why king's landing wasn't being favored and tyrion knew as well as varys perhaps even pycelle. But the queen seemed to have something else in mind and the king who sat at the table seemed puzzled if rather annoyed , the poor thing seemed as if he didn't haven't a brain in that big skull of his.
It was clear that this new kingdom had made many changes when they took over pentos and in that they have reduced the cost to which they sold grain to the west, well at least mainly to the north and its main port city white harbor as they were having a winter oncoming and the immediate war would have their stores emptied before the season started so they were taking advantage of this opportunity and the northern party which many seemed to overlook. Pentos had food to waste and spare, the previous magisters held numerous fields of grain stretching to horizons and the empire was now in charge of this. So food was not an issue nor was the price but what they seemed to be craving was metals .
They were sourcing iron from anywhere possible from the crownlands, the eyrie , the riverlands and of course the north which held the most of the ore.
And the ore the north held could not be eaten when winter came so why of course not sell it cheaply in quantities that many neighboring kingdoms had no demand for since they already had their own supply, and so they went, iron and copper in exchange for the reduced cost of grain the empire provided them which was cheaper than what the reach, westerlands and riverlands charged , even the crownlands.
But as he looked into it further , these men were stockpiling , they were making war further in the east and of course weapons and armor were needed. And stockpiling on the source of steel along with copper seemed smart in their case.
"You make a point lord baelish these savages bargain with our enemies, their treachery will not go unpunished " joffery states as he drives his finger into the table his eyes gazing wildly.
"And punish them how you suppose my great king ? kingslanding also benefits greatly from the grain they provide and yet the many of small folk still starves in the street another small riot was put down two days ago. You cut them off now and kings landing has removed another of its food suppliers and the mob might be the greatest threat to us that rob stark or stannis . " Tyrion answered his petulant nephew
Cersei though not liking the dwarf's presence couldn't deny his opinion on the matter which seemed sound.
The people were starving and food were scarce as it is , withholding a siege from their enemies would be disastrous in such a situation.