章 654: Chapter 654: Nocturnal Visit
In the heart of Meereen's harbor, the kingdom's navy lay anchored. Asha Greyjoy, with a handful of her followers, temporarily took residence within the walls of the reborn city.
Meereen, resurrected from ashes, still bore the scars of past wars. Half-collapsed towers, palaces that remained broken and unrepaired, and traces of fires that once raged. Dominating the city center was a towering stone monument.
"This monument is in memory of the tragedy years ago. Hundreds of thousands of Meereenese fell to the Dothraki's blades," explained Governor Mors, the Valyrian spice merchant who first greeted Asha.
The other magistrates, Orton Adris, son of 'Silvertongue', one of the Ninepenny Kings, and the self-proclaimed Prince of the Narrow Sea, the pirate Salador Saan, had left after meeting the emissary from the Iron Throne.
Orton, curious about the ones who had defeated his father, later learned that the young knight who ended the War of the Ninepenny Kings and the Fifth Blackfyre Rebellion, Baelistan Selmy, had met his end in Riverrun—betrayed by one of his Kingsguard, a dagger through his throat. The others who shone on the battlefield, Stannis Baratheon, Tywin Lannister, and Yris, had all passed away.
The enigmatic pirate Salador Saan, who claimed to be a friend of the 'Onion Knight', merely flashed Asha Greyjoy a cryptic smile, suggesting that if she ever grew tired of Mors' company, she could always find solace in his quarters.
Adorned with ten gleaming rings, Saan looked less a pirate and more a nouveau riche. However, it was the spice merchant Mors who was assigned by Pentos to handle this diplomatic affair with Meereen. Thus, Asha and her party were treated as his honored guests.
"I've read about that history, Magistrate Mors," Asha acknowledged.
"As an emissary of the Iron Throne, I express our condolences to Meereen. The Dothraki culprits must face the consequences of their actions."
While Asha Greyjoy rode on horseback, Mors, the aging spice merchant, who could no longer mount a horse, rode in a palanquin. He invited Asha to join him, but she declined. In her mind, only those without legs needed such transport. Besides, she didn't fancy sharing close quarters with a toothless old man.
Furthermore, she was correct in her assertion. The Dothraki who had ravaged Meereen were not the same ones who had surrendered to House Targaryen.
The Dothraki who submitted to the Targaryens had been captured on the battlefield, while those who later attacked Meereen were remnants that had fled from Pentos. Disheartened by their unsuccessful eastern conquest, several khals joined forces, launching a surprise attack on Meereen.
As hooves struck cobblestones and wheels rumbled, the convoy made its way through Meereen's streets. Flanking the magistrate's entourage were the tiger-cloaked soldiers of Valyria.
Asha Greyjoy was accompanied by loyal Ironborn and emissaries from Nars. The Ironborn donned leather armor, curved blades at their waists, and a fierce look in their eyes. A young woman wore a black cloak with gold-trimmed leather armor and shining boots.
As they moved through the streets, Meereen's citizens and slaves stepped aside, casting curious glances. They observed the banners held by the Ironborn: one depicting House Targaryen's three-headed dragon, and the other, House Greyjoy's golden kraken.
Asha Greyjoy temporarily resided in Governor Mors' mansion, planning to stay in Meereen for about a week before setting off for Tyrosh.
However, that very night, someone came knocking.
Thud.
The sudden noise roused Asha Greyjoy from her slumber. With a swift motion, her hand was already gripping a dagger concealed beneath her pillow.
Used to hostile environments, Asha even slept with her armor on, only removing her cloak. She deftly rose, dagger ready. Unlike most ladies, she favored weapons over dresses, sharing this trait with the likes of Brienne of Tarth and Arya Stark. Arya, currently residing in King's Landing, often sought swordplay lessons from Kingsguard Mya.
Asha, having once roamed Valyria as a mercenary, was no ordinary woman. She was among the top assassins there, even once shattering Baelistan Selmy's sword, becoming a tale among the people.
Now, with subtle noises outside her door, Asha was alert, her eyes piercingly focused on the entrance.
The door swung open, revealing a robust man, cloaked in black and hooded. Beside him lay an Ironborn, unconscious.
"Fear not."
"He's merely unconscious," the man assured, unhooding himself. It was Salador Saan, his fingers now free of the ostentatious rings, a curved blade at his side, and black bands wrapped around his wrists.
"It's been a while since I've had to fight; I've grown somewhat rusty," Salador admitted, working his shoulders.
In his youth, he was a formidable pirate, terrifying many a merchant fleet in the Narrow Sea. Had his skills not waned, the Ironborn would have been silenced without a sound.
"Emissary, I mean no harm visiting you at this late hour. There are simply matters to discuss, unsuitable for others' ears."
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