章 205: Chapter 204: Exposure
Varys knew well that the Magisters were not united.
If they could join forces, perhaps Pentos would not be in its current state.
They would not be so oppressed by Braavos, but they had spent too much energy on internal struggles.
"Enough, enough."
"We have distinguished guests here; let's not make a fool of ourselves."
Another Magister, seated on the right side, interjected, trying to defuse the tension.
He also glanced at Beron Lupert, and their eyes met briefly before he warned him.
"Beron, watch your words."
"Hmph."
The Wine Magister snorted coldly but said nothing more.
Playing good cop and bad cop?
Viserys observed their expressions but still raised his cup to the Magister who tried to smooth things over.
...
Inside the Prince's Palace, intrigues and schemes were brewing.
Outside the palace, in the city of Pentos, the festive atmosphere continued.
New Year's Day was crucial for Pentos. They would have a virgin blessed by the Prince of Pentos, then offered to the land and sea, praying for favorable weather in the coming year.
If their prayers failed and Pentos lost a war or experienced a poor harvest, the people would not blame the gods.
Instead, they would believe that the Pentoshi co-ruling Prince had angered the divine on New Year's Day.
They would slit the throat of the Prince who presided over the sacrificial ceremony to appease the gods' wrath, then elect a new Prince.
Tonight.
Pentos transformed into a city that never slept, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, and crowded streets.
Even the strictest merchants would reward their employees and slaves at this time, giving them a day off.
At the largest port in Pentos, ships were also adorned with lights.
The waves continuously lapped at the beach.
The cold of winter could not dissipate the warmth of the people and the festive atmosphere.
In an unremarkable inn within the city of Pentos, the atmosphere felt somewhat out of place.
Several disguised members of the Windblown mercenary company were cleaning their weapons in a room.
They had infiltrated Pentos separately, waiting for a signal to gather and storm the Prince's Palace to eliminate the Pentoshi Magisters.
"I've had my eye on that woman for a long time. Once her husband is dead, she'll be mine."
A middle-aged mercenary with a beard on his chin and upper lip sat on the bed, cleaning his sword and wearing armor.
His roommate, hearing this, chuckled softly in a low voice.
"I remember you just saw that woman yesterday, Will."
"And she didn't even pay attention to you when you tried to flirt with her. Is that what you call 'having your eye on her for a long time?'"
The speaker was none other than Dick Straw from the Windblown.
Will and he were from the same town in Westeros, with Will known as "Will from the Woods."
"Hmph."
Will snorted.
"She doesn't know what she's missing."
"Did I ever tell you? Back when I was in King's Landing, there was a woman with a sigil of some lightning symbol..."
"Mm-hmm."
Dick Straw, sitting on another bed, nodded.
"That woman screamed louder on the ship than even Pretty Meris."
Will continued boasting.
"Heh—"
Dick Straw heard Will mention his past exploits again and scoffed with disdain.
Will had once seduced a noble lady from King's Landing, promising her eternal love. With his fair and handsome face at that time, he indeed appeared far better than her tremulous old husband.
However, the woman didn't seem to have a good ending after being deceived onto the ship. Besides satisfying Will's lust, she found herself in dire straits.
Ultimately, the ship reached Myr, and the unfortunate noble lady was sold by Will to a brothel in exchange for two gold dragons. No one knew if she was still alive.
Will had recounted this tale numerous times.
Some members of the company disdained Will's character, while most others simply laughed it off as a joke.
After all, none of the mercenaries in the company could criticize anyone else; they were all scoundrels.
While the Windblown inside the room prepared,
A sudden cacophony erupted outside the inn.
"Hmm?"
"What's going on?"
Will of the woods, furrowed his brow, then glanced at another companion who had been silent all along.
"Ally."
"Go outside and see what's happening."
This companion named Ally was a mercenary from Myr, the newest member of the Windblown. He naturally couldn't compare to the more experienced veterans, serving more as a tea-pouring, water-fetching role.
However, he owed Will his life on the battlefield.
"Alright."
Ally shrugged nonchalantly, somewhat exasperated by Will's caution.
He thought there shouldn't be any issues. The people of Pentos had no defenses against their arrival.
The young Myrish swordsman then opened the door and stepped out, ready to ask some questions.
He saw a group of Pentoshi guards approaching from the other end of the corridor.
Upon seeing Ally, the guards' faces changed, and they drew their swords from their waists.
Clang...
The Myrish mercenary's heart raced upon seeing the Pentoshi guards.
"Damn."
He had initially planned to play dumb and try to bluff his way out, but it seemed that the guards were specifically targeting them.
Bluffing was virtually impossible.
"It's exposed!"
Ally's face changed dramatically, and he drew his longsword, shouting a warning to his comrades inside the room.
"Run!"
The guards on the other side of the corridor accelerated their advance upon seeing this scene.
"Stop!"
"Don't run!"
A sword then swung towards him.
However, as a mercenary, Ally had far more combat experience than these Pentoshi guards. He struck with his sword, and the guard's head snapped back in response.
Crack—
The Pentoshi soldier's sword struck the wooden railing of the inn's second-floor corridor, sending wood chips flying and severing the railing.
Inside the room, the other two Windblown mercenaries, Dick and Will, were old hands. They wouldn't have asked Ally to check outside otherwise.
Hearing their comrade's warning, the two mercenaries exchanged glances.
Crack—
They kicked open the wooden window cover and jumped from the second floor, landing on the stable's roof below.
Boom—
The stable roof collapsed under the impact, frightening the horses inside and causing them to neigh in terror.
Meanwhile, word had somehow leaked out, and the inn was now surrounded by Pentoshi guards.
Upon seeing someone jumping from the second floor, the guards swarmed in like a pack of vicious dogs.
"Stop!"
"Kill them!"
The two veteran Windblown mercenaries felt their scalps tingle at the sight.
"Bad news!"
They knew that this was no accident; their mission had been leaked. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many guards coming to arrest them
"Their leader's plan is going to be a disaster this time..."
However, at this moment, they had no time to worry about the Tattered Prince; they could only focus on the immediate danger.
The two men exchanged a glance and without any hesitation, wielding their longswords, they split up and darted into the narrow alleyways.
...
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