章 309: Chapter 309: Mia
Volantis is a coastal city in the southern part of the continent of Essos, the southeasternmost of many free trade city-states. It is located in the delta region of the four estuaries of the Rhoyne River. As the earliest colony established by the Valyrian Freehold, Volantis has a long history and is powerful. Hence, it is known by titles such as 'Valyria's First Daughter,' 'Queen of the Rhoyne,' 'Mistress of the Summer Sea,' and so on.
From a bird's-eye view, it is situated next to a massive bay, to its north is the tributary of the Rhoyne River, the Volaena. The surrounding towns, including Selhorys, Valysar, and Volon Therys, all fall under the jurisdiction of Volantis. There is also a road that leads directly from Volantis to Meereen in Slaver's Bay. However, the harsh environment and dangers along the way have earned this stretch of road the title 'Demon Road.'
"Volantis is vast, as I've told you," said a red-haired girl sitting across from Viserys, gently wiping the dagger in her hand. "Eamon."
Eamon was a pseudonym Viserys came up with on the spot. It was simple and easy to remember. When asked for a name, he thought of this one and casually introduced himself as Eamon. Moreover, 'Dragon Knight' Prince Aemon is generally considered the most noble knight to date.
As the girl, who was wiping her dagger, spoke, she was also quietly observing Viserys's expression. Her face wasn't particularly beautiful, merely average, but she had a great figure and appeared very healthy and robust.
She sat across from Viserys, surrounded by a bustling crowd. The noise was chaotic, with people drinking and shouting, the floorboards creaking overhead, and the faint sounds of women moaning unabashedly.
This place was a tavern in Volantis, located on the Long Bridge, which spans the mouth of the Rhoyne River, connecting two districts of Volantis. The bridge is incredibly long, supported by massive piers, and as flat as a road, built by the Valyrians during their golden age.
The entrances at both ends of the Long Bridge are arches made of black stone, carved with sphinxes, manticore, dragons, and other monsters. The bridge is wide enough for two four-wheeled carriages to pass side by side.
Various buildings have been erected on both sides of the Long Bridge, where you can buy almost anything. Now, Viserys and this mercenary girl named Mia were dining on the second floor of a tavern on the Long Bridge.
The cost of living here isn't high, so it attracts a mix of people, including the poor, mercenaries, prostitutes, slaves, and sailors from afar. From where Viserys was sitting, he could see the hands of thieves and the heads of criminals impaled on spears for public display on the bridge below.
"You're right, Mia," Viserys said, looking at the freshly severed head below, still dripping blood before being skewered on a spear, amidst cheers from the crowd. He then turned his head and said with a hint of sarcasm, "And the people are quite fierce."
The man who had just been executed below wasn't a heinous criminal, but a runaway slave. His master executed him as a warning to other slaves. The guards of Volantis, the Tiger Cloaks with tiger stripes on their cheeks, seemed to turn a blind eye, allowing the slave owner to dispose of his 'property.'
"Slavery is part
of Volantene culture," Mia said, having also witnessed the scene below. She spoke without hesitation. "Since the time of the Valyrian Freehold, it has been so. Almost every free citizen owns an average of more than five slaves."
Of course, averages can be misleading. Impoverished free citizens who can barely afford food certainly can't afford slaves, while the major slave owners possess enough slaves to form a small mercenary company.
"Oh?" Viserys asked, "Mia, why do you want to explore the ruins of Valyria?"
Viserys didn't continue the previous topic. Instead, he picked up a piece of food from the table and looked up to ask. He had met this girl a few days ago when he first arrived in Volantis.
She was a member of a mercenary group, codenamed 'Hunter.' She was best at silently approaching her enemies and slitting their throats. The recent unrest in the Smoking Sea was the hottest topic in Volantis. Some claimed that the ruins of Valyria had become more dangerous, while others believed it was a golden opportunity to get rich.
The secrets and treasures buried in the Freehold would all emerge from the ground, and picking up just a few items could make one wealthy. Mia was one of those who saw this as a chance to get rich, so she joined an expedition heading to Valyria. During a public recruitment for the expedition, Viserys volunteered to join.
The silver-haired young man was handsome and skilled. He quickly defeated a mercenary called 'Butcher,' earning the favor of the expedition's organizer. So, Viserys joined the expedition under the pseudonym 'Eamon.'
Only after joining the expedition did Viserys learn of its massive scale and the high status of the 'boss' behind it. He was one of the three triarchs of Volantis, Malquo Maegyr of the Tiger party. He had organized nearly twenty ships of various sizes and an expedition of almost a thousand people, most of whom were slaves. There were also many mercenaries like Mia and Viserys who joined with dreams of their own.
"Of course, it's for the money," Mia replied to Viserys's question. "What other reason could there be?" She looked at him curiously. "What about you, Eamon?"
"Of course, I'm also in it for the money," Viserys replied, leaning back against the back of his chair.
"Really?" Mia looked at Viserys skeptically. "You don't seem like someone who lacks money."
Mia's gaze fell on Viserys's attire. Although his clothes were ordinary and unremarkable, for some reason, 'Eamon's' demeanor and the impression he gave her were like those of a person of high status, accustomed to a position of power. His every word and action carried a unique aura.
"You're overthinking it," Viserys said, shrugging slightly in response to Mia's questioning gaze. "I'm just not that poor. And I like adventures. I want to see what the ruins of Valyria really look like."
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