Viserys frowned as he looked at the extra portion of dragon bones that Illyrio had sent.
"What is this?"
He had only just woken up and hadn't had a chance to check on Daenerys yet when he was summoned to Illyrio's study.
"It's a gift, Your Grace. I may have been too abrupt yesterday, and this is my apology." Illyrio was unfazed by Viserys's frown, explaining with a fawning expression, "And I didn't think things through before. You don't even have a personal handmaiden to attend to you. It's truly a lapse in courtesy." He leaned in close, whispering in Viserys's ear, "This is a Lys girl, skilled in the seven arts of the bedchamber. I bought her specifically for you, and I guarantee you'll be pleased."
Viserys was momentarily unsure how to react to Illyrio's sycophantic behavior. He had expected the fat governor to insert someone into his circle eventually, but he hadn't anticipated it being done this way, by openly giving him a bed slave.
Such behavior might seem unimaginable to modern people, but in the current world of ice and fire, it was commonplace. Not just in slave cities like Yunkai, Meereen, and Astapor, but even in the relatively milder free cities, and even in the relatively conservative Westeros, it was perfectly normal for powerful figures to gift bed slaves. For these high-ranking officials of Essos, it was just a gift, a way to show their generosity.
"You are thoughtful, Illyrio." After a moment of consideration, Viserys finally had a thought, "I'll accept the dragon bones, but I don't need the girl. You did nothing wrong yesterday; I saw what you did, and I know it came from good intentions. If you truly feel regretful, you should find me more dragon bones." He pointed at the box containing the dragon bones, then whispered to the fat governor, "It would be even better if you could find dragon eggs."
But Illyrio wouldn't let it go. "You don't like her?" he flattered, "How about I get you a handsome boy instead?"
It seemed Illyrio was determined to send her.
Viserys's expression was serious: "Someone advised me, Illyrio, that a ruler's lack of caution and secrecy brings disaster upon his subordinates, a subordinate's lack of caution and secrecy makes it difficult to succeed, and a lack of caution and secrecy in important matters leads to failure. Don't you know what we're doing?"
"Your Grace, I have never revealed any information," Illyrio widened his eyes. "This girl is from Lys and was trained in Yunkai. She's just a bed slave who knows how to please men. Are you being overly suspicious?"
Viserys narrowed his eyes and looked at him. Illyrio was putting on an act of being wronged, eager to prove himself. Feeling the man's persistence, Viserys's mood worsened: "Someone told me that a woman's allure is a king's fatal blade. My elder brother, Rhaegar, lost the dynasty because of it, and King Robert will now lose the throne because of it. Do you think there's any truth to this, Governor?"
"Your Grace, I," Illyrio lowered his posture and forced a smile, "I just wanted to send you a handmaiden."
At this point, Viserys somewhat regretted the words he had just blurted out. Illyrio was determined to send this handmaiden, and his repeated refusals had put him in a difficult position, creating unnecessary conflict with Illyrio.
He was wary of Illyrio, but he absolutely could not show it too directly, rebutting every one of the man's probes. Their relationship on the surface should be closer. Since Illyrio was putting on an act of pleasing him, he should respond with a gentler and more appropriate attitude.
As long as the dragon bones were delivered, everything could be endured for now.
It was just another spy he had to be wary of.
"Your Excellency, that's not what I meant." Viserys's tone softened. "I spoke rashly just now, in a fit of anger. You wouldn't understand, but I often wake in the dead of night, filled with deep resentment for my elder brother, Rhaegar, who lost the realm for a woman. I know you sent the handmaid out of kindness. I do need someone to attend to me, but I don't need a bed slave."
"Your Grace, what should we do with the girl then?" Illyrio took a step back, asking in a low voice as he looked over at her. "She may have overheard some of what we said. If Your Grace is worried…"
Viserys finally realized the ruthless side of the fat governor, though he didn't know if he was truly going to dispose of the girl, who had been a gift to Viserys just five minutes earlier.
Viserys asked in surprise, "You would kill her, Your Excellency?" He narrowed his eyes, staring at the fat governor. It seemed he was more concerned with Illyrio's answer than the girl's life.
"Kill her? Sss…" The fat governor gasped, as if frightened by Viserys's question. "I was thinking of selling her far away, Your Grace, what do you think?"
Viserys spoke as if joking, "Didn't you give her to me? I'll give her back to you. Surely, Illyrio, you aren't too old to use her, are you? Or, do you need her to trade for a handsome boy? If so, you'll have to figure that out yourself. Haha."
"Haha," Illyrio chuckled along. "Your Grace is joking. I am not a king like Your Grace, who has the world in his heart and is not afraid of women. Haha." With that, the fat governor called to his steward, "Take her down and arrange a room."
Viserys, without a hint of politeness, casually ordered, "Take these to my room."
The topic was considered closed.
Just as the steward left, and Viserys was pondering an excuse to depart from Illyrio's study, a knock sounded at the door.
Illyrio inclined his head apologetically to Viserys, then called out, "Come in. What is it?"
"Master," the eunuch guard, a familiar figure at Illyrio's side, announced, "The envoy from the Tyroshi lords has arrived. They are outside in the courtyard and request to pay you a visit. Here is their invitation."
The eunuch guard respectfully presented a golden-edged invitation to Illyrio.
"Unexpected guests," Illyrio frowned, accepting the invitation. "Why would he come here?"
He didn't open the invitation, instead looking at Viserys with a troubled expression. "Your Grace, this..."
The fat Magister looked as if this situation was unforeseen.
Viserys wondered what this was all about: "What is it?"
"Your Grace, I must explain. Since this courtyard was used to secretly accommodate you and Princess Daenerys, I haven't invited anyone here." The fat governor looked troubled, explaining in detail, "This envoy from the Tyroshi Archon somehow learned I was here and came uninvited. He wants me to connect him with the Dothraki. Your Grace, you may not know, but recently, Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr have been at odds over trade route disputes."
"Oh." Viserys feigned understanding but subtly hinted, "Since I came here 'secretly' and am hiding here, this is to be expected. After all, this is your courtyard, Governor. Since it concerns your big business, it's no big deal for me and my sister to avoid it."
"Your Grace..." Illyrio forced a smile, still speaking humbly, "Please understand, I am just one of many merchant governors in Pentos, and that envoy is the brother of the Tyroshi Archon."
If you're just one of many merchant governors in Pentos, why did he come to you?
Viserys was secretly on guard, but he maintained an indifferent expression. "Then I'll return to my room first, Governor. I had hoped to have lunch with you, but it seems I won't be able to."
The fat governor responded respectfully, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Grace."
The fat governor and Viserys left the study together. Viserys walked along the corridor towards the guest room, while the fat governor headed toward the door.
Viserys wasn't walking quickly. He only entered the building where the guest rooms were located when he could see what the fat governor's guests looked like as they were ushered in.
The first to enter were the servants carrying gift boxes. The open boxes contained the finest velvet and brocade from the Free Cities, high-quality ceramics, and enamelware and glass inlaid with jewels. They were led into the living room by Illyrio's guards. Then came Illyrio himself, who was accompanied by a bald, portly middle-aged man with a green beard, dressed in a colorful, luxurious silk outfit. Finally, the two men's guards entered. In between them, a step ahead of the guards and a step behind the courtyard owner and the portly middle-aged man, was a burly man who looked out of place among the others.
The burly man was somewhat balding, with dark skin, a tall frame, and thick hair. He didn't wear the standard leather armor of the eunuch guards, but instead wore chainmail and leather, with a dark green outer garment embroidered with a black bear standing on its hind legs.
Viserys guessed his identity.
Jorah Mormont.
....
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