Illyrio was unaware of what Viserys was thinking, but he noticed that the young king's expression changed slightly upon hearing the name of Drogo, the son of Balbo Caho. It was as if he had heard the name somewhere before.
"Old Caho is building up his son's reputation."
On the other side, Balbo Caho sat on a throne of ivory and gold, raising his wine glass, still speaking words Viserys could not understand.
The rest of the Pentos Magisters, including Illyrio and Viserys, also raised their glasses and drank them down.
Viserys, however, did not drink wine; his cup was filled with milk.
He knew that his current age was not suitable for drinking, and that drinking milk helped with physical development, providing an abundance of protein. This opportunity for growth would not come again later.
Illyrio sat beside Viserys, continuing to explain in a low voice.
While the other Magisters were in awe of the Horse King, Illyrio valued communication with Viserys more.
"Building up reputation?"
Viserys held his cup and turned to look at Illyrio, who patiently explained.
"Each Khalasar consists of several kas, and each kas is led by a ko. The Khal is the bravest warrior among the entire tribe."
"But Balbo Caho is old now..."
"In fact, few Khals meet a good end."
Illyrio and Viserys conversed quietly, but his last sentence was somewhat profound.
By now, the feast had begun under the command of old Khal Caho. Even the absence of the Prince of Pentos did not affect the feast's progress.
Not far away, Balbo Caho continued to raise his glass while the Magisters of Pentos showered him with flattery.
Illyrio, on the other hand, observed coldly and continued speaking.
"If someone were to challenge old Caho now, declaring that he is no longer the bravest warrior in the tribe and cannot lead the entire Khalasar, Balbo Caho could not refuse the challenge."
"And he is indeed old now, losing confidence."
"He fears he will die in the challenge and is even more afraid that after his death, Drogo will not be able to inherit the position of Khal."
So that's how it is.
Viserys nodded slightly as he listened to Illyrio's words. It seemed that Balbo Caho indeed did not have many years left.
However, his worries were unnecessary.
His son Drogo had never lost a battle since his birth and naturally held the advantage in the struggle for the position of Khal.
And in the future, he would lead his Khalasar to become the most powerful tribe in the Dothraki Sea.
...
Although one person had died, and the Prince of Pentos was expelled from his throne and utterly humiliated, the feast went on quite smoothly.
The guests at the feast were all very drunk, including old Khal Caho himself. However, his bloodriders and his son Drogo remained extremely sober, watching these people with cold eyes.
As the feast was about to end, Illyrio told Viserys that the Magisters had given him a gift.
After the guests had dispersed, Viserys left the prince's palace, where a hundred Andal warriors were still waiting orderly outside.
On the other side, several Dothraki had also gathered, baring their chests, sitting nonchalantly on the steps in front of the prince's palace.
Fortunately, no conflict arose between the two groups.
Although the Dothraki looked down on armored soldiers, considering it a cowardly practice, they were not fools. Without their horses, they knew that they knew that these disciplined, heavily-armored warriors were not to be trifled with.
Even with more Dothraki, if a fight broke out on foot, it would be a one-sided battle.
"Let's go."
Viserys, stepping out of the palace, took the reins of his warhorse from a servant and mounted it.
With a wave of his hand, the hundred knights who accompanied him also mounted their horses.
On the other side, the loud, boisterous Dothraki who had been sitting and laughing on the steps saw the armored knights leaving but didn't say anything.
The Dothraki horselord and his bloodriders emerged from the crowd, though the Khal seemed quite drunk.
Clip-clop, clip-clop...
The sound of horses' hooves filled the air as Viserys led his knights away from the scene.
Not far off, Drogo, supporting his father, glanced once more at Viserys's retreating figure, his deep, dark eyes betraying no emotion.
"What's wrong?"
"Drogo."
A bloodrider of Khal Balbo, who had held Drogo as a child, astutely noticed that he was paying attention to the young man.
"He is the Targaryen exile king, now the lord of Andalos."
The bloodrider was aware of Viserys's background, having just learned of it during the feast. He didn't understand the full meaning of the "Targaryen exile king," only recognizing the name Andalos.
"It's nothing."
Drogo simply shook his head, his voice low and terse.
Initially, he had noticed Viserys because of his youth and had held his gaze for a moment. Their eyes had met, and Drogo felt something complex in the silver-haired youth's gaze, as if he knew him somehow.
While accompanying his father, Drogo noticed that Viserys had occasionally glanced at him.
The long-braided man supported his father and then gently touched his own cheek.
For the first time, he felt a chill down his spine.
This strange feeling made him uncomfortable. He flexed his neck and then clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking.
He had a feeling he would encounter this fellow again, perhaps when he became a Khal and raided Andalos.
...
On the other side, Viserys was unaware that he had caught Drogo's attention simply by looking at him several times, and that the imaginative and vengeful young man was now fixated on him.
Drogo even thought of inheriting the Khalasar one day and leading an army to raid Andalos.
However, for the Dothraki, raiding was a part of their lives, as normal as eating and drinking, so it was not surprising that they would target anyone.
Viserys was now leading his knights to the east of Pentos.
It was near the massive red temple, a landmark visible from anywhere in the city.
Illyrio had told him that the Pentoshi Magisters had given him another gift.
Neigh...
Viserys's warhorse neighed and stamped its hooves restlessly.
Before him was a large courtyard with tall brick walls, an expansive, ornate gate, rock gardens, a three-story residence, and ivy-covered walls.
This was the gift from the Magisters to Viserys: a magnificent mansion within Pentos.
"Open the gates."
Viserys dismounted his horse and spoke to the servants at the entrance.
...