After days of travel, the walls of the city of Qarth finally came into view for Jon and Melisandre. The walls were just as he had heard and expected. Thick, imposing, and made of solid stone. It was truly a formidable defensive position. To lay siege to such a city was a very difficult task.
"Qarth," Melisandre murmured as they continued moving slowly toward the city gates. "One of the finest cities in all of Essos."
Sitting atop their horses still at some distance from the city, Jon could feel the magnificence of this city. And he was impressed.
Jon nodded as they finally reached the gates. A small line of travellers had formed, waiting to gain entry. Around a dozen guards, dressed in brown coloured robes, stood watch and questioned each visitor before allowing them through. Two men, who were sitting inside a small both present on one side of the gates, were issuing and viewing documents of every visitor. Another stream of crowd was leaving the city and were starting their journey towards the vast and inhabited land.
After waiting a few moments, it was finally their turn.
"First time visiting Qarth?" one of the guards asked, glancing at Jon and Melisandre.
"Yes," Melisandre replied.
"At least in so many years…" she added in a whisper so faint that only Jon, with his enhanced senses, could hear.
"Two silver coins," the guard said. "Weapons are permitted, but I advise you not to draw them unnecessarily. Doing so may land you in trouble."
Jon gave a curt nod while Melisandre pulled two coins from the folds of her robes and handed them over.
"Volantis' coin," the guard muttered as he inspected them.
"Yes," Melisandre confirmed. "Is there a problem? I believe the weight and purity of this coin are greater than those used in Qarth."
"That is true," the guard admitted. "It is just that we don't see many visitors from Volantis."
Melisandre thinned her lips at that but said nothing. Jon, however, noted the exchange carefully.
A few moments later, two parchments were handed to them. Permits granting their stay in the city.
"You may remain in Qarth for one month," the guard explained. "After that, you will need to renew the permit. And if you lose it, you will have to apply for another."
Jon gave a final nod, and the pair pressed forward, crossing into the city.
The streets of Qarth were in far better condition than those of the cities of Slaver's Bay before Jon had taken control.
Wide streets, spacious shops, and thriving establishments filled the view. The city was quite crowded yet it did not have the chaos and the suffering from the Slaver's Bay.
Slavery was widely prevalent in Qarth too and Jon guessed that this was area very slaves were generally kept away from. And if they were allowed, they were made to looked decent.
Though hygiene was still not up to the modern standards Jon had been trying to enforce in his own kingdom, it was undeniably superior to most of Essos. Qarth was called one of the finest cities of the continent for good reason.
"This is the commercial area of Qarth," Melisandre explained. "That is why you see wide, clean streets and the absence of filth."
"The slaves here live in conditions almost as bad, if not worse, compared to those that in Slaver's Bay," she added.
"We should find an inn first," Jon said. Though they had been staying in inns throughout their journey rather than sleeping on the roads, the last stretch of travel had left Jon weary. Not physically. He was far too strong to tire merely from riding horseback, but he longed for a warm bath to clean himself properly.
Few of the inns they had stayed at so far had offered such luxuries.
"I know a place," Melisandre replied, urging her horse forward. Jon followed close behind.
Melisandre led them to an old looking building. Despite its age, it stood tall and proud, two storeys high. The street in front of it was spotless, with plants and flowers neatly arranged along the steps.
From outside, Jon could already see colorful curtains swaying in the windows of the rooms on the first floor.
A wooden sign hung above the entrance, bearing the words. Traveller's Paradise.
"This is the most luxurious inn in Qarth," Melisandre said. "Its services are far beyond the reach of most. Only the truly rich and elite stay or dine here."
Jon understood the meaning behind her words and nodded.
They dismounted at the gate, and two men hurried forward to take the reins of their horses. Jon pulled an unmarked gold coin from his pocket and tossed it to one of them.
"They are tired. Feed them, clean them, and see that they rest well," he ordered, without sparing them a glance.
"Yes, my lord," both men said quickly, bowing in gratitude. The single gold coin was worth nearly a month's salary to them.
With a final nod, Jon ascended the steps of the building and entered the inn, Melisandre following close behind. Inside, an old man sat behind a large table in the centre of a spacious, well kept hall.
"My lord," the old man said with a bow. "What services may we provide for you?"
Jon placed four unmarked gold coins on the table.
"Two of your best rooms," he replied. "And prepare a bath for both of us."
The old man calmly slid the coins behind the counter, then glanced toward one side of the hall. A middle-aged man quickly approached the table.
"Show our guests to the rooms on the second floor," the old man instructed. "Rooms one and two."
The man nodded and bowed toward Jon.
"My lord," he said deeply, before turning to Melisandre. "My lady."
With the middle-aged man leading the way, Jon and Melisandre followed him upstairs.
.
.
.
While Jon was beginning his game in Qarth, Illyrio was returning to Pentos in a sullen mood. He had spent a week in Meereen, hoping to hear some word from Lord Aeos about the plan he had tried to plant in his mind. But he had received no response.
In desperation, he had even approached Van Haos, but the man had refused to help. Van Haos made it clear that he would not dare bring up such a topic before Lord Aeos. If Lord Aeos willed it, he would speak of it himself. The meeting that he had arranged with Lord Aeos was the best that he could have done.
This had left Illyrio disheartened. To make matters worse, he had also failed to secure any additional lucrative business deals. Van Haos had not been of much help even in this regard. That too weighed heavily on him.
Another strong business venture in Meereen, alongside the alcohol trade would have pushed Illyrio's wealth and influence even higher. But the opportunity had slipped away.
Pushing these thoughts aside, he sat down to write a letter. His report of everything that had transpired in Meereen, addressed to Varys. It would be up to the eunuch to decide what step Illyrio should take next.
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