The weather in Braavos today was overcast, with dark clouds pressing down, a gloom that was as usual.
Braavos mostly experienced three types of weather: fog, rain, and freezing rain.
Perhaps it was because this place was a large rocky island with lakes and rivers, in addition to being by the sea.
Every type of weather was terrible; clear days were rare.
In past years, Braavos had used this to hide from the Dragon Kings' sight.
Viserys Targaryen, dressed in black, with a flashing silver sword at his waist and a Valyrian steel dagger with a dragonbone hilt, strode purposefully forward.
Viserys's gaze swept over the green copper dome of the Palace of Truth, then he saw the tall square towers of the Plestain Hall and Antaryon Hall.
These tall square towers were synonymous with the long history and abundant wealth of these families.
If one crossed the enormous gray arch of the Sweetwater Canal, one could reach a district called Mud Town. The buildings there were smaller and not as magnificent.
The Grand Canal was right next to the buildings, and at this moment, snake boats and cargo barges were already visible in the canal.
Among these crisscrossing boats, there were now also vessels belonging to the "Rum Association" of the crab fishermen.
The symbol of the crab fishermen was a pair of crossed black pitch rum bottles and a massive Sea Lord's crab, and other boats generally dared not provoke them.
Seeing how noisy the Plestain Hall was today, many boatmen stopped their work and simply watched the spectacle.
Although Plestain Hall was private family property, the great families of Braavos were as rich as princes, and their compounds were like palaces.
Viserys slowly ascended the white patterned marble steps of Plestain Hall, his gaze also rising.
This would be Viserys's grand performance in Braavos. Having caused so much trouble, the Sealord would not be fond of such a disruptive political refugee.
However, all of this was mere smoke and mirrors; he would first avenge Mooro, and then he himself should leave Braavos.
The Plestain guards, with their rapiers in hand, looked grim; it was clear that the newcomer meant trouble.
But they dared not act rashly. From his physique, this silver-haired man was also a dangerous killer.
Moreover, these Ice Ocean crab fishermen had caused trouble before and were all on the blacklist.
Under the tall archway of the Plestain family courtyard, Viserys uncovered a silver platter, on which lay the head of a dead sturgeon.
He had originally intended to use a horse or pig head, but in the port city of Braavos, fish heads were more common.
The bloody big fish head was placed under the Plestain family's archway, like a bloody accusation.
"Oh my god, that's a dead fish head, I'm not mistaken, am I?"
"Who is this silver-haired young man? He's provoking the Plestains. Old Plestain must be furious."
"It's the descendant of the Dragon King, the exiled Viserys."
"Isn't that the Beggar King?"
When they saw the dead fish head, the atmosphere had reached its peak. Fishermen and sailors pointed and gestured.
For the Plestain family, they rarely suffered such blatant provocation.
"I have a gift for Yorco Plestain, a gift he cannot refuse," Viserys said.
The guards' faces were long. What kind of gift was this? It was clearly the head of a dead fish.
The alarm bell rang out, echoing through the Plestain courtyard, and even the adjoining Angtaryon family courtyard noticed the commotion.
The gate opened, and the patriarch of the Plestain family walked out first. He was very old, and Viserys thought of him as a decrepit old man.
Yorco Plestain followed behind the patriarch, with the tall Titan's Bastard, Mero, leading some guards.
The burly guards wore rapiers unique to the Free Cities at their waists.
"You're looking for death," Yorco said, seeing the dead fish head, his heart ablaze with fury.
He hadn't expected this Viserys Targaryen to be so unappreciative.
For the life of a water dancer, he had caused such a scene at the Plestain's doorstep.
Especially when he saw the people Viserys had brought, those fierce sailors reeking of salt and dried fish.
These crab fishermen also had a long-standing grudge with the Plestain family.
"You don't need to speak, Yorco," Old Plestain stopped his heir, looking at the young man before him, the exiled king.
This son was like a foolish fish, and his subordinate, the "Titan's Bastard," was also a greedy and crude idiot.
Even if he wanted to win over a talented person, there was no need to act so viciously.
Some people respond better to kindness than to force, and besides, this Viserys was also a character skilled at networking.
In his short time in Braavos, he had already cultivated connections with people like the courtesan Black Pearl, the Nightingale, the crab tycoon, and the former First Sword.
Most importantly was the Sealord's attitude. The Sealord was silent and reserved, but it was unclear whose side he would ultimately support.
And what could escape the Sealord's eyes? The Plestain family's courtyard was right next to the Sealord's family courtyard.
This matter was already embarrassing enough; such a crude thug. Once this matter was settled, he would immediately get rid of Mero.
"Young man, your rudeness is not the way of etiquette. Especially since you come from the ancient and noble Dragon King's family, you should not act like a street ruffian," Old Plestain said, looking at the crowded canal.
No matter how this was handled today, the Plestain family's reputation was ruined.
"Your son's dog killed my friend," Viserys said.
"Such is the life of a water dancer, young man; water dancers often choose to duel," Old Plestain said patiently, trying to calm the situation. "But now you've brought a dead fish head, and sailors reeking of dried fish. Have you lost your mind?"
"I have not. I believe I have found the path to truth. I demand a duel with Yorco Plestain." Viserys drew his flashing silver sword and pointed it at Yorco Plestain.
"May the gods above witness this magnificent dance."
This was not the first duel between a Dragon King's descendant and a Braavosi. Back then, "Rogue Prince" Daemon fell in love with Laena, the Sea Snake's daughter, so he provoked Laena's fiancé, the son of the previous Sealord, who had squandered her family's fortune, and easily slew him in a duel.
"Viserys, we could have discussed this properly. We could offer some gold to compensate you for your loss." Old Plestain gritted his teeth. This was a direct move to kill. He knew his son well; he was simply not up to the task.
"Truth is on the sword. I don't need money; I am avenging my friend."
"Agree to it!"
"Agree to it!"
The sailors, enjoying the spectacle, booed when they saw Yorco cowering in the back.
A chorus of boos and jeers erupted.
Purely from appearance, Plestain could only touch Viserys's heels in terms of looks, and the same was true for physique and ferocity.
Yorco's face was alternately pale and red, and he dared not step forward to speak.
But if he were to back down from a proper duel and act like a silent coward, his reputation in Braavos would be ruined forever.
"He's not a prince at all; he's a mad dog, a lunatic," Yorco Plestain said.
"A duel can be very dangerous, Viserys." Old Plestain's expression remained gloomy, but his mind was racing. In for a penny, in for a pound. If he died in a duel, it could only be considered his bad luck.
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)