In the endless green fields, a cavalry carrying a black flag with a three-headed red dragon galloped forward, followed by small wheeled carts and mule teams responsible for transporting supplies.
Rhaenys and Daenerys opened the windows of their cart, unable to resist looking around, free from the smell of sea breeze and salt.
This expanse of new green and small, rolling hills was the former Kingdom of Hills, the Velvet Hills, located south of Andas.
These hills were not very tall and could not compare to the Mountains of the Moon or the Red Mountains in Westeros; even the mountains in the Westerlands were more rugged than here.
Between Braavos and Pentos, there are two rivers. The first flows north into Braavos, providing fresh water for Braavos.
The second river flows south, forming the Upper Rhoyne River and the Little Rhoyne River, two tributaries of the Rhoyne River, nourishing the lands of Andas and the plains of Pentos.
The first river is the mother river of Braavos, belonging within Braavos's territory. If it were given to Viserys, the Sealord must truly have lost his mind.
And what Viserys was heading for was the basin of the Upper Rhoyne River and the Little Rhoyne River, the second river.
Due to the dynamic balance between Pentos and Braavos, coupled with the incursions of nomadic tribes and bandits, this area was essentially a no man's land.
The Sealord was certainly not being kind by pointing them towards an ownerless territory, leaving Viserys to deal with the bandits, river pirates, and crude Horse Riders (Dothraki) himself.
After disembarking from the Braavos River, Lingo's longships and the envoys of the Second Sons departed, and Viserys personally managed his contingent.
Viserys rode a black Dothraki steed; it was indeed a fine warhorse, personally chosen by the Sealord.
However, Viserys's cavalry was still relatively small, with most of his forces being infantry.
Ser Roland organized the recruited soldiers, assigning those with riding experience and strong physiques to the cavalry.
Others with average horsemanship were assigned to the infantry.
There were also some with very average riding skills and combat experience, who would first apprentice as Tyrosh blacksmiths.
Those with rich crab-catching experience were temporarily considered Viserys's navy.
The land of Andas is not lacking; light boats can be used, and fishing is also possible.
Recruiting soldiers and buying horses was the main theme. Viserys not only had to train his subordinates but also arm them.
Viserys felt that when the right opportunity arose, he would still need to buy horses in Pentos.
Because the dothraki frequently extorted Pentos, there was also some trade in horses and goods between the two sides.
"For now, we will settle among the tigers and wolves," Viserys said, looking at the vast, promising, yet perilous land he was about to manage.
No matter what, this was the beginning of his path of pioneering.
After the fall of Valyria, no single power was able to fully develop the continent of Essos. The Free Cities primarily focused on fragmented urban development.
Between the major powers lay large tracts of fertile land, such as Andas, the Disputed Lands, and the Golden Plains.
"This is the land of Andas, the homeland of the Andals," Syrio said.
"It is here," Ser Roland excitedly recited from the ancient holy texts. "The Father reached into the heavens and plucked seven holy stars, and he placed them one by one upon the head of Hugo, the King of the Hills, fashioning a brilliant crown."
"That is from the Seven-Pointed Star," Viserys said. "Later, the Andals were inspired and collectively crossed the Narrow Sea to invade Westeros."
"I suspect it wasn't inspiration, but fear of the rising Valyrians. After all, the Andals couldn't even defeat the Rhoynar, and the Rhoynar were later destroyed by the Dragonlords," Ser Roland explained.
It feels like the Eastern Continent is a food chain. The Andals, who were not a dominant force there, became invincible upon reaching Westeros.
"Your Majesty, if we build a fort here, it will most likely attract trouble from the dothraki," Ser Roland added. "Beyond the cities of Pentos and Braavos, there will be no towns."
As a mercenary, he understood some dothraki customs.
The dothraki are primitive environmentalists; they have no fondness for towns and wish to restore the land to its original state.
Four hundred years ago, the dothraki marched from the east towards the Free Cities, looting and burning every town and city along their path.
"We have already offended enough people, and we will inevitably offend the Horse Riders (Dothraki) in the future," Viserys said. "For now, we can only survive by living in the tiger's mouth."
Having a fort is always better than being in exile.
Viserys realized he had truly become a troublemaker, not only with Robert and Tywin across the Narrow Sea but also having provoked Preston of Braavos, and now the future dothraki.
Viserys also felt a sense of 'too many debts to worry about', and decided it was best to develop first.
Viserys had considered building a fort at the confluence of the Upper Rhoyne River, but the project would be too large and would also require controlling an upstream dam. Building a stone fort in the mountains would be easier.
"We found a stronghold, left behind by mountain bandits," the forward scouts reported upon their return.
There were bandits robbing in the Velvet Hills, but they never grew strong, as that group of outlaws was no match for the swarming Horse Riders (Dothraki).
Viserys rode over to find a simple encampment built by bandits with stones on top of a hill.
The thieves who once wreaked havoc there were now long dead, but they had left behind this camp.
Viserys looked at the camp, built with gray-brown stone houses, many parts of which were covered in moss.
This area of the Velvet Hills had both mountains and water, and fertile land.
And this bandit camp stood on the highest hill in the area, where there was even a gushing spring.
In front was the middle and upper reaches of the Upper Rhoyne River, and behind were the gentle slopes of the vast Velvet Hills, facing Norvos.
A short distance down the hill was God's Grief, at the confluence of the Upper Rhoyne River and the Little Rhoyne River, and also the Valyrian Road.
The dothraki always used the Valyrian Road when leaving the Rhoyne River, and this distance provided Viserys with room to maneuver.
Whether from the perspective of a vantage point, easy access to water, or the ability to wage guerrilla warfare in the mountains, this camp offered excellent strategic advantages.
Even if it were besieged in the future, it could hold out for a considerable period.
"This will temporarily be our foothold," Viserys said.
"Since we have a new territory, it should also have a new name."
"Let's call it Westeros Fort," Viserys said.
Naming a fort after a person is quite common.
"Ser Roland," Viserys said to Roland. "The defenses of this fort are not complete. I know of a place where we can get rocks."
"Where, Your Majesty?" Roland asked.
"There should be a megalithic array in the hills near God's Grief, said to have been built by giants. We can make use of it," Viserys said.
"I will send men to investigate."
Actually, there was also a huge sphinx statue made of valyrian steel standing by the road, with the body of a dragon and the face of a woman.
Viserys felt that once his fort was complete, this statue could also be taken.
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