The storm at the banquet had not subsided.
When news that Hasman Vaharice had been maimed and detained reached Volantis, the "Tiger Party" was incensed.
After all, this was more than just the loss of a general's son; it was a blatant slap in the face to Volantis before all the Free Cities, especially to the hardline image the Tiger Party strove to maintain.
Hasman's father, a "Tiger Party" Magistrate, General Valero Vaharice, spared no effort in lobbying other city-states, painting Viserys as an ambitious man intent on devouring all of Essos.
To the common folk of Volantis, he depicted Viserys as a cruel, arrogant dragonlord who would bring the "Dragon-scourge" to the continent of Essos.
Inside the Black Wall of Volantis, within a heavily guarded mansion, Vaharice was persuading the representatives of Myr and Tyrosh. These two representatives had been frightened after truly facing a dragon and were now reluctant to make an enemy of Viserys.
"My son's leg, and the dignity of Volantis, were both trampled into the mud by that Targaryen bastard."
Valero's voice was low and filled with hatred. "And Kevan Lannister, he personally brought enough gold dragons and equipment to arm an army into the Pyramid of Meereen. What does this mean? It means the dragonlord and the lions of Westeros are already in contact. Once he receives a steady stream of gold and soldiers from Westeros, do you think he'll be satisfied with the status quo? Who do you think his next target will be? You know all this, yet you're starting to hesitate now."
"General, we share your anger."
Flavio, a textile tycoon from Myr, spoke slowly. "But anger does not bring victory. Viserys has a dragon; that is an indisputable fact. Moreover, his efficiency in Slavers Bay is astonishing. His army may consist mostly of slaves and barbarians, but there are also many Unsullied, whose combat strength cannot be underestimated. If a direct conflict occurs, the cost would be immeasurable."
"Cost?" Valero slammed the table. "If we don't pay a price now, what will we have left when the Targaryen and Westeros finish their collusion, when his fleet blockades the Summer Sea, and when his 'freedom' plague spreads to the Disputed Lands and burns down our plantations? Flavio, who will wear your 'Moonlight Silk' then? Those newly freed slaves?"
Flavio's expression changed slightly. Valero's words had indeed struck his inner fears.
The representative from Tyrosh spoke up, "The General has a point. But dragons fly in the sky, while our ships float on the sea. How do we fight? Assemble a fleet and wait to be picked off like roasted fish by Dragonfire?"
Valero showed a confident smile. "Dragons are not invincible. What did Braavos rely on to repel dragons back then? Scorpions. And our friends from Qarth and New Ghis have brought us new ideas."
He lowered his voice. "They are willing to provide a fleet to join us, East and West united, to blockade the ports of Valyria and cut off his trade. More importantly, they will help us set the Great Grass Sea ablaze, letting the dothraki's fury burn toward Slavers Bay once more, pinning the Targaryen army there."
"The dothraki?"
"Exactly." Vaharice's lips curled. "The Temple of Immortals in Qarth has special means to persuade the barbarians of the plains. Three powerful Khalasars have already accepted 'gifts.' They will swarm Slavers Bay like locusts. When the dragonlord's navy is tied down by us and his army bleeds against the dothraki, his defenses will show gaps. That will be the time for our fatal blow."
"When it's all over, we'll divide the spoils of Valyria, restore order to Slavers Bay, and perhaps even take a share from the turmoil in Westeros." Vaharice was already painting a rosy picture for them.
The representatives of Myr and Tyrosh exchanged a look. The risk was enormous, but Vaharice's analysis hit their concerns. If they didn't stop the Targaryen now, they might truly face a massive empire with dragons, a solid foundation, and potential support from Westeros in the future.
"Myr can join. But we demand that after the war, the division of interests in Slavers Bay and Valyria must be clear."
"Tyrosh's fleet can also be deployed, but we need Volantis to provide some funds to compensate for losses, and the command of the joint fleet still needs to be negotiated."
A smile appeared on Vaharice's face, though it was cold. "Of course, my friends. To our common future, cheers. That damned dragonlord must pay the price for his contempt for the dignity of the ancient city-states."
King's Landing, the throne room of The Red Keep. The news spread faster than Viserys had anticipated.
Robert Baratheon's bloated body was sunk deep into the iron throne, his face flushed as if it were about to bleed, his chest heaving violently. The high officials of the Small Council were lined up on both sides, and the atmosphere in the hall was heavy.
"Three hundred thousand gold dragons, and armor. What does Tywin think he's doing? Using Lannister gold to build an army for that Targaryen brat?" His roar echoed through the empty hall. "That old dog Kevan actually dared to go in person; does he still have any respect for me as King?"
Jon Arryn tried to soothe him. "Your Grace, Lord Tywin may have no other intentions but to recover his family's ancestral sword; after all, it is 'lightbringer'. Although the price is staggering, with the Lannister wealth..." God knows how much this old man had sacrificed to stabilize the rule of the iron throne.
"Bollocks." Robert slammed the armrest. "If it's just to buy a sword, why didn't he consult me? Why all the secrecy? I think he's just waiting for the Targaryen to attack so he can be the first to open the gates of King's Landing again and use my head to welcome his new master. Damned Lannisters. Varys!"
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