Aemon listened carefully. Judging from the description, she was no ordinary mistress.
Laenor had found someone to confide in and had opened up to him. He knew his father's mistress: A young girl named Marilda, nicknamed "Rat." She was of humble origin, the daughter of a shipwright from Hulltown on Driftmark Island. The old shipwright was highly respected and often accompanied the Velaryon fleet. However, he was not silver-gold and had no Valyrian blood. Since Marilda lost her mother at a young age, her silver-gold color might have come from her.
Aemon suddenly understood. Hearing this, he knew that some questions for future generations could be answered: Addam and Alyn were two recognized bastards. During the Dance of the Dragons, the Sea Serpent claimed that the two were Laenor's sons and his grandsons. However, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Laenor was unable to impregnate a woman. The Sea Serpent's own bastards were the most likely suspects.
So, the question arose: If Addam was the Sea Serpent's bastard, how could he tame the ownerless Seasmoke and become the beneficiary of the "Red Seed"?
The answer is that the Sea Serpent found a woman of Targaryen descent. According to Laenor, Marilda is the same age as Rhaenyra, who is currently 19. Her mother is probably around 40 years old and was born before 80 AC. This places her in the same age range as Viserys and Daemon. Excluding her great-grandfather, Jaehaerys, she is most likely the illegitimate daughter of Aemon, Prince of Dragonstone, or of her grandfather, Baelon.
"Probably Aemon's," Aemon muttered. Baelon's character is well known; after Alyssa's death, he remained chaste. Therefore, "Rat" Marilda is most likely the granddaughter of Aemon, Prince of Dragonstone, and the niece of Rhaenys.
"Corlys, damn you!" Aemon bared his teeth. This is more than just an old bull taking advantage of young grass. Given the Sea Serpent's sophistication, it's impossible for him to be unaware of his mistress Marilda's background. He did it on purpose!
"Cousin, what did you just say?" Laenor hadn't heard clearly.
"No, let's just leave it at that." Aemon shook his head.
Honestly, he understood the Sea Serpent's approach. Setting aside the young girl's fair skin and beauty, which made him feel younger, raising two children with dragon blood was a legitimate backup plan. Laenor had married and stayed away from women. If he didn't father a pair of bastards, who would inherit the vast Driftmark estate? This wasn't the original world. Strong, the bastard, was the heir. Furthermore, Strong's prerequisite for taking over was marrying his granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. Despite all this, the descendants would still have Velaryon blood. They were saving the country in a roundabout way!
Laenor, unaware of the twists and turns, simply said, "Oh."
"Take it lightly." Aemon patted his cousin and brother-in-law on the shoulder in sympathy. "You can't really blame your father. He gave you a chance, but you were useless."
"Cousin, let's go first." Laenor quickly composed himself. Aristocrats taking mistresses wasn't news, but he felt that he was treated unfairly because of his mother. For the sake of family harmony, it was best to keep quiet.
"Well done! You didn't lose face!" Aemon gave him a thumbs-up.
Taking advantage of the slightly lower afternoon temperature, the two set off on their dragons. This time, they didn't wait for the fleet and headed straight for Slaver's Bay. They had waited to avoid encountering pirates from the Triarchy. Besides, once the fleet reached Volantis, they would conduct business there as well.
House Velaryon was primarily selling goods and had placed an order for more. Aemon was selling as well. They cleared all the ships of miscellaneous goods and sea serpents, trading them for gold to purchase Unsullied. Thousands of pirate captives from the Triarchy were also sold as a sideline.
Volantis had indeed fallen on hard times. They bought only a few hundred people for five thousand gold dragons. A single Triarchy pirate fetched only ten gold dragons. How cheap! They had to try Slaver's Bay, the international slave metropolis.
Time slipped away. It was dusk. Vermithor plunged through the clouds. The vast ocean was beneath him, and in the distance was a mysterious sea shrouded in thick smoke.
"Halt, Vermithor!" Aemon's expression was inexplicable. He knew where it was: The ancestral land of the Targaryens, the home of the Valyrians. Once the Valyrian Peninsula, it was now known as the Sea of Smoke.
"Hurry!" Seasmoke caught up, crying out in protest at the Sea of Smoke.
"Cousin, we can't go there," Laenor said solemnly, calming Seasmoke.
Aemon whispered, "I know." It was his first time seeing his ancestral land, and he wanted to explore it more carefully. The Valyrian Peninsula of old had Fourteen Flaming Peaks, the most unique in the world. At its peak, it supported thousands of dragons. It was nothing like barren Dragonstone, which not even the Targaryens could inhabit.
Laenor jumped up and down on Seasmoke and said, "My sister and I were here once. Some people still live in the Long Summer Lands, and some places have maintained their former splendor."
"Laena didn't tell me?" Aemon looked bewildered.
Laenor scratched his head and chuckled. "She said you were a busy little brat who didn't know how to enjoy life." His sister loved adventure. They'd snuck off to Qohor, the Dothraki Great Grass Sea, and even Sothoryos on the southern continent. She'd been acting like a lady for the past few years.
"That's too much," Aemon said, glaring. He'd never been far from home.
"Don't be angry," Laenor said sheepishly. "When you come of age and marry my sister, we can travel together to the Summer Isles or even to Yi Ti and Asshai in the Far East." After all, they had dragons, so they could go anywhere. The further east you went, the more terrifying the rumors about wizards became.
"We'll talk about it when we have time," Aemon laughed. He couldn't possibly take her with him. You were like a big light bulb and loved sneaking through the back door.
"Okay," Laenor, a sincere child, agreed cheerfully.
"Hiss!" Seasmoke stirred, urging the rider to leave. Aemon was surprised. He glanced at Vermithor, who was hovering in the air as calmly as an old monk in meditation. Dragons of different ages have different instincts for seeking advantage and avoiding harm. Seasmoke, still at a distance, was deeply repulsed. Vermithor, though unfazed, had no desire to approach it.
After a moment, Aemon suggested, "Have you been to the Long Summer Lands? Take me there?"
The Long Summer Lands and the Valyrian Peninsula were originally one, but due to historical circumstances, their cultures diverged. The House of the Forty Dragonlords originated on the Valyrian Peninsula and descended from its shepherds. The Long Summer Lands had no native Dragonlords but originally consisted of a group of landowners. Control of the fertile lands naturally brought prosperity, and the landowners looked down on the peninsula's shepherds, who were also Valyrians. With the rise of the Dragonlords, the landowners submitted to their rule. As society developed, maintaining productivity became essential. The three core elements of Old Valyria emerged: the Dragonlords, the Long Summer Nobility, and the Sea Houses.
After the Doom, the Valyrian Peninsula was reduced to a Sea of Smoke. Perpetually erupting submarine volcanoes and toxic plumes filled the air, leaving no one alive. Fortunately, the landmass of Long Summer was far away, so the impact was minimal. However, the underground rivers were severely disrupted, leaving half the fertile land barren and the other half dry and waterless. Gradually, the few Valyrians who survived left their homeland. This led to the current situation in which Valyrians exist all over the world yet lack a homeland. As long as they stayed away from the Sea of Smoke, though, Long Summer would be safe.
Therefore, Laenor agreed without hesitation.
"Let's go!" Aemon exclaimed.
With a flap of his wings, Vermithor flew around the Sea of Smoke, which emitted noxious gases, and soared towards the continent.
"Hiss!" Eager to leave, Seasmoke shot away like a light silver shuttle.
The cousins wandered along the Valyrian Road, heading east.
Ten days later, they arrived at Slaver's Bay.
"Shhhh!"
"Shh!"
Vermithor and Seasmoke burst through the thin clouds and circled the Gulf of Grief.
"No, we're flying the wrong way," Aemon said. They flew along the eastern coastline further south until they reached the mouth of the Gulf of Grief. Along the way, they spotted two cities and an island. Aemon guessed they must be Meereen, Yunkai, and Yaros Island. At the mouth of a river where it met the sea, they saw a third city. The river was the Skahazadhan, and the city was their destination: Astapor.
Astapor was a red city, its outer walls dark red, and the air filled with fine red dust. However, its architecture contrasted sharply with its surroundings. The Good Masters had built majestic stepped pyramids atop which they had planted a variety of trees, vines, and flowers. The city was adorned with colorful silk lanterns and sulfur fountains. At first glance, the city had a retro feel.
"Hiss!" Vermithor roared, leaping over the dark crimson walls with his massive body and hovering above the blossoming city. Instantly, the entire city erupted in excitement. Countless civilians and slaves looked up, horrified by the bronze dragon.
"It's a monster!"
"Is it a god?"
Overcome with fear, the ignorant residents fell to their knees in prayer.
"It's a dragon!"
"How could there be a dragon in Slaver's Bay?"
Some slave owners were shocked, recognizing the massive creature hovering over the city. They had heard that in Westeros, across the sea, a single surviving family of dragonlords still existed. Due to their vast distance, Slaver's Bay and the Iron Throne rarely crossed paths.
"Hiss!" Suddenly, another young, pale, silver dragon leaped over the city walls and playfully brushed past one of the city's pyramids. A strong wind tore through the greenery atop the pyramid, adding a touch of green to the red city. The slave owners were horrified and quickly called for slave soldiers to protect them. In worse cases, some fled back home to hide.
"Land, Vermithor!" At that moment, a warm, clear voice echoed from the air.
The slave owners were startled. They recognized the pure High Valyrian language. Slaver's Bay claimed to be descendants of the ancient Ghis Empire, but the culture was already dead in name only. They spoke a dialect of High Valyrian, the language of the ancient Ghis Empire.
Suddenly, a huge bronze dragon with brown wings obscured the sky as it slowly landed in Pride Square, the center of the city. This was where guests came to see the masters show off their finished slaves.
"Hiss!" Seasmoke cried out as he carried his rider and landed on top of a pyramid. From high above, they watched the entire city. These two actions instantly sparked unrest.
Until noon. After a burst of commotion, the slave soldiers calmed the crowd.
Pride Square. Vermithor stood tall, its massive guillotine wings touching the ground like an immovable mountain. Aemon lowered his eyes slightly and slumped leisurely in the saddle. Man and dragon occupied half the square with their overwhelming presence, sending surrounding slaves fleeing in all directions.
A group of Good Masters stumbled upon this scene and hurried over. Their faces instantly changed. The dragon was enormous, much larger than when it soared through the air. The figure on its back had silver hair, purple eyes, and porcelain-white skin—a youthful and handsome inhumanity. He looked like a god descended from heaven.
"Old Valyrian Dragonlord!" All signs indicated that a Dragonlord had arrived in Astapor.
No! A glance at the pale, silver dragon atop the nearby pyramid revealed a beautiful, silver-haired youth. Clearly, there were two Dragonlords.
"Who is leading among you?" Aemon suddenly asked. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the dragon's saddle, and his expression was cold. There was cynical contempt in his expression.
The Good Masters weren't just any slave owners; they were the highest-ranking business owners in the city. In the past, they were the only ones who looked down on others, and no one despised them. However, when facing the legendary Dragon Rider, their nature of bullying the weak and fearing the strong was exposed, and they fell for his tricks.
"Your Excellency, Dragon Lord, I am Grazdan mo Ullhor of Astapor," said a bald Good Master, stepping forward and introducing himself solemnly. He had sallow skin, regular features, and a slightly harsh, hooked nose. He wore a traditional tokar robe made of yellow silk with copper plates sewn onto it and held a scepter inlaid with gold.
Aemon took a look and raised his chin haughtily. "Let's talk," he said.
Time flew by, and more than half a month passed.
It was early June, and the heat was scorching. Astapor was a green garden beneath a pyramid. Trees were planted along the wall and various rare flowers and plants grew beside the fountain. Bird cages hung from the eaves.
Inside an elaborate pavilion, Aemon sat on a cushion at the side of the pavilion, dressed in a loose red robe similar to a tokar. The beautiful red robe revealed his wrists and ankles, and his bare feet were not considered disrespectful. It was a very exotic style.
"Lord Aemon, try this plum cake. I bet we'll fight over a scrap." Ullhor laughed heartily and sat in the chief seat.
Aemon glanced sideways and pinched a red grape between his lips. The slave girl serving beside him was startled and quickly knelt, extending her hands to catch the seeds.
"Pah!" Aemon spat on the ground. The master was targeting a teenager who didn't want to rebel.
Ullhor's face turned purple, and he glanced at the slaves serving him. He wanted to vent his anger but couldn't do so openly. It must be said that the Good Masters lived an extravagant and corrupt life. Among his slaves alone were a beautiful slave girl, a child slave, slave guards, and three slaves who did odd jobs. At the banquet in the pavilion, there were many attractive slave girls and boys. They knelt on either side, awaiting orders.
"Ahem," said Laenor, sitting next to his little cousin, smoothing things over. "Sir Ullhor, our fleet entered the Skahazadhan this morning. We can discuss our trade now," he said, tugging on his cousin's sleeve.
Aemon nodded softly without saying anything. Over the past twenty days, they had been treated to truly lavish hospitality. They had daytime meals and drinks accompanied by slave girls. At night, boats sailed the Skahazadhan. The Good Master is truly inhumane. The boats were festooned with colorful silk lanterns, and even the banks were illuminated with them. When they're feeling frivolous, they throw gold into the river. They watch the slaves salvage the gold, joking and having fun on the boats. Aemon complied with his master's wishes, finding no fault.
Except for one thing: When the topic of buying Unsullied is brought up, the Good Masters turn their heads and talk about other matters.
"Sir Laenor, please don't rush," Ullhor said with a smile. "Our friendship has only just begun. Astapor will not let its friends down."
"Please hurry," Laenor reminded him patiently. His usefulness became apparent at this point. He was fully prepared for every aspect of dealing with the cunning Good Master.
"Of course." Ullhor hesitated for a moment, then said, "I received some news this morning. A war broke out between Myr and Tyrosh in the Disputed Lands a month ago, and countless mercenaries on both sides were killed or wounded."
"Tyrosh!" Laenor perked up.
"It's okay. It's an internal conflict among the Triarchy." Aemon held him down and glanced at the big, bald head above him.
Ullhor was stunned for a moment, then changed the subject and said with a smile, "Yes, Myr fought against the Tyroshi mercenaries they took in. The fight was very fierce." He murmured under his breath, wondering how this bad-tempered Dragon King knew.
Aemon sneered. "I know the bad things I did very well."
"Tell me, how do you buy the Unsullied?"
---------------
You can read +100 advance chapters on my Patreon
Patreon(.)com/izan24
•TIER 1 you'll get +15 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 2 you'll get +40 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 3 you'll get +60 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 4 you'll get +100 ADVANCE CHAPTERS