Chương 3: New position
- 291 AC -
(Lucian Vhassar POV)
"Are those the reports?", I ask.
"Yes, Your Excellency. I have seen the products myself and believe the young man has talent. Should you still wish to talk to him, then I could have that arranged. He is garnering quite a reputation.", Miranda Voss tells me.
Miranda Voss comes from a respected family in Braavos with a long tradition of service to the city. Contrary to everyone's belief, she was trained in administration and diplomacy, she has served in various capacities within my court before becoming my personal secretary in all things. I keep her close to me since I don't want anyone messing with her. She is my flower.
Hailing from a prominent Braavosi family known for its wealth and influence in the mercantile and banking sectors, my rise to power as the Sealord of Braavos was marked by both my adept handling of domestic affairs, international diplomacy and especially ... knowing who to kill at the right time. Miranda covers the areas, I have little to no knowledge about.
"Yes. I wish to meet him. It has been 6 years since I last saw him and that was only briefly. To think that the small naive prince, worth almost nothing, grew to be worth little more, but at least with a grown body.", I muse.
"You mean the pact?"
"Yes. After Robert's Rebellion, Oberyn Martell, Prince of Dorne, travelled to Braavos where Ser Willem Darry was keeping Viserys Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen. Oberyn and Willem signed a secret pact, in which Viserys was promised the hand of Doran's daughter, Arianne Martell, in return for Dorne's help in House Targaryen reclaiming the Iron Throne. And that pact ... was witnessed by me.", I remember the time it happened. The union between those two would also profit me quite a bit.
"You are speculating on a favourable impression of the young Targaryen. Hoping he would repay your favour in the future, should he sit on the Iron Throne.", Miranda once again guesses my intentions perfectly.
"That's absolutely correct. This is why I wish to meet the young Targaryen. Should he be what I think, our plans will change.", I reveal.
"And if he's truly just a talented blacksmith?"
"You know what we have gathered in terms of information. The young boy has grown into a big man already. And he's not even fully grown. I have a feeling ..."
"I see. I shall arrange the meeting.", Miranda says and walks out of the room. I look after her as she walks ... gods ...
.
"He's here, Your Excellency.", Miranda tells me not even one hour after she left. I haven't even moved my arse since she left. Her efficiency is marvellous ... just like her looks. Syrio isn't here yet, as we didn't think Miranda to work this fast. I thought she would make an appointment and act all-important in front of the young Targaryen, but here he is.
"Very well. Call him in. I would like to meet him here. And call Syrio. I want those two to meet each other as well. Another opinion can't hurt and Syrio has an impeccable sense for characters. I wanted to do that myself, but you're just too fast.", I tell her.
"As you wish.", Miranda says and moves out of the room again. She returns a few moments later with a silver-haired man behind her.
...
"Your Excellency, your guest.", Miranda says and stands to the side. I look at the young man in astonishment. How was this possible?
"I ... I am surprised, to say the least.", I say.
"Sealord Vhassar, it is nice to meet you.", he says. His voice is deep and calm, his eyes shine purple and are as deep as the sea. I fall silent as I observe the tall and strong man in front of me. The opening of the door gets me out of my stupor.
"Your Excellency called for me?", Syrio Forel asks me.
"I have Syrio. Nice of you to join us. I was just welcoming our guest, Viserys Targaryen, IIIrd to his name.", I say and stand up, to give the young man some respect. His gaze makes me change my opinion of him. He is not a boy, of 5 and 10 name days ... he is a young man. And Syrio understands it as well.
"I am not surprised you know my identity, Sealord Vhassar. Would you tell me what it is I am here for?", he asks me. I can tell that he has humility, but also pride. I am still unsure where this pride comes from or why he has it, but I can tell that he is nothing like his late father, Aerys II Targaryen.
"I was interested to meet the man, who had all of Braavos in an uproar with the extraordinary quality of weapons. The smithy you work in was not known to produce such amazing products, so I was naturally curious.", I say.
He doesn't look convinced though. I can't help but feel like I am standing in front of a battle-hardened veteran.
"W-well, I admit it isn't the whole truth. I know who you are and I can recognise talent when I see it. I was wondering if there was something you are interested in. Anything.", I say trying to save the situation.
"You are a great businessman, Sealord Vhassar. I don't know what I could give you, that you might be interested in."
"Oh, but let us not forget who you are. You are the rightful Heir of the Iron Throne. And as you said, I am a businessman. I can see opportunities when I see them.", I say with my charming smile.
"Ah, so I'm a business venture?"
"Ahhh, I didn't mean it like that. I-"
"I would appreciate it if you would talk to me honestly. Even though I was not taught the deep swamp of politics, I am smart enough to understand how to wade through it.", he tells me.
"..."
"..."
"I am surprised. You talk and hold yourself much better than I expected. You are smart and hold yourself like someone who is a skilled fighter. Very well then, let us talk truthfully without those fancy honeyed words.", I say and have to smile at the strange situation I find myself in.
"Very well."
.
"So you want to work for me? You? The heir to the Iron Throne?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"He who understands humility possesses the key to true wisdom, for in recognizing his own limitations, he opens himself to endless learning and growth."
"Poetic. Where did you hear it?"
"I'm not sure. But I am a firm believer in it. I don't dislike my current position. Both me and my sister are looked for by many. Robert Baratheon especially and others are also making plans when they see us. I understand that you also have your reasons for helping us. But I don't want anything to do with that. If you help me, I don't want any special privileges. I will work for you, to pay off what we owe you. I will however remember what you did for us."
"And what, pray tell is it that you would want to do for me?", I ask interested.
"I can do anything you require. As long as my sister and I have enough comfort and sustenance to live, we are happy."
"Why would you choose to live without wealth? Why work for it, if I am offering it to you anyway?"
"And then do what? I want to have Daenerys learn the way this world works when the time is right. She should be able to defend herself and take care of herself. She should not become a spoilt brat like our brother and father were."
"..."
"I see ... well if that's the case then ... I'm sure there is something we can find for you. Smithing seems to work for you, so what else can you do?", I ask him.
"I can fight and I am smart. I can do business deals for you, help you in other ways if there is something you need.", he says. I can tell he is serious. Did Ser Willem Darry teach him how to fight? But he was far younger back then, and after the man got sick.
"So you can fight. Would you be interested in having Syrio test your level of skill before we decide something? I'm sure you could learn a few things from him, as the First Sword of Braavos. You could help him, watch him and see how he handles things as well as how he commands my guardsmen and protects me in public."
"That would be more than generous of you. But I will need time for my sister. That is not negotiable. And should she ever be in danger, I will leave everything to get to her. I hope you understand what I'm saying.", he tells me.
Now this is surprising.
"Of course. That is perfectly fine. So we have a deal?", I ask him.
"We do. Thank you for this chance.", he says and smiles.
"Good, then I look forward to our collaboration."
.
After Viserys Targaryen leaves the room, we are all silent for a moment. I can't help but contemplate how different this talk went compared to what I had planned.
"He took control of the discussion and made me give him everything he wanted and more. And all that without him telling me anything. Truly marvellous.", I say to the two.
"Haha, he is truly an interesting young man. Hard to believe he is only 5 and 10 name days old.", Syrio says.
"I believe he is more dangerous than he lets on. I would urge you to be careful, Your Excellency.", Miranda says.
"I concur. His self-control is something I have seen in veteran fighters. He might have some plans of his own.", Syrio says.
"Of course he does. Everyone has plans and wants something. I would be more surprised if he didn't. But he was quite honest in his desire to rise up the ladder.", I tell them. My gut tells me he was genuine. But we'll see.
.
.
(Viserys Targaryen POV)
I lied to them.
While it is true that I want Daenerys to learn how poor people live and appreciate our future wealth, it is not for the reason I told them. I have no interest in owing the Sealord anything. Working for him will give me the best chances of meeting the right people and coming in contact with people of value.
This is the best thing that could have happened to me. I will be close to one of, if not the most powerful man in Braavos. He has opened the door for a dragon and will come to find out that I will devour everything he owns soon enough. I just need time.
Daenerys will turn 10 name days old next week, so I have to prepare for it. Getting a new position means more money I have to spend for that occasion. She has been adapting well in the last year thankfully. But it is still hard for her to live like this. That is why I was preparing to take charge very soon. One plan was getting in the Sealord's good books somehow and the other was stealing from the Iron Bank for some quick money.
The first option was the one I preferred. But the second one was not impossible. It is actually rather easy. I spent a considerable amount of time spying on important people here in Braavos. I found three Keyholders during my time here.
The Iron Bank is the main bank of Braavos. It is one of the wealthiest banks in the known world and often lends money to outsiders, such as archons, triarchs, and the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. The bank is famous for its discretion and secrecy which made it hard for me to find out anything, but as my body develops, so do my tremendous physical abilities and skills. It feels like my DNA holds the skills of the real Fulgrim and I gradually unlock them. It is how I found out about my ridiculous martial prowess ... at least by this world's standards.
Though all the Free Cities have their own banks, the Iron Bank is richer and more powerful than the others combined and has a fearsome reputation when collecting debts. When princes or kings default on their debts or are foolish enough not to honour their agreements with the Iron Bank, the Iron Bank supports new princes and kings to appear. These new princes and kings then honour the previous debt along with paying back the money the bank loaned them in claiming their new power, lest they suffer the same fate as their predecessors.
I don't care about their policy. I am going to rise to the top of the Braavosi politics and sooner or later take what I need. Currently, there are a few things I have in mind. It would be best if I could find a way to get hold of the three Dragon eggs, Illyrio Mopatis has in his possession. That would be the best birthday present I could find for Daeny. But maybe for her 13th birthday, not right now.
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