The city was close now, a beautiful, charming, petite pearl of the Vale—Gulltown.
Gulltown was one of the five great cities of Westeros, located southeast of the Eyrie and south of Runestone. Its scale was comparable to White Harbor in the North, but smaller than the other three great cities—Lannisport, King's Landing, and Oldtown.
Rhaegar saw the white walls of Gulltown, pure as snow, and the blue-and-white moon-and-falcon banners flying high, reflecting the azure sky.
What a lovely and beautiful city! Though the air carried the fishy scent of the docks, it smelled far better than King's Landing.
King's Landing was overpopulated and stank to high heaven.
King's Landing had begun as a military port but had expanded chaotically over time.
Rhaegar had already integrated well with the Vale knights. The Blue Knights considered him a handsome, charismatic true dragon.
In an age of aristocracy, the approachability of a great noble often awed bystanders. Rhaegar was not putting on an act; it was simply his nature, a certain detached nonchalance. After all, his "common touch" was perfected to an art form.
The Blue Knights found Rhaegar to possess an extraordinary martial charm. The Prince was physically robust, highly skilled, gentle yet dignified, calm, and generous. He could endure the knights' coarse jokes and treated them like brothers in the barracks, utterly unlike certain pretentious lordlings.
Rhaegar sparred often with the Blue Knights. Though the Prince never lost, he gave them many gifts.
However, most Blue Knights in the Vale were landed knights, not lowborn peasants.
At the Gulltown docks, Rhaegar saw a crowd gathered, smiles on every face.
This was not only because Lord Jon Arryn had returned, but because the second in line to the Iron Throne, Prince Rhaegar, had come to visit.
Though Prince Rhaegar was young, everyone had heard many anecdotes about the True Dragon and hoped to catch a glimpse of his grace.
For the residents of Gulltown, welcoming a True Dragon was a fine occasion.
As the ship began to dock, Rhaegar saw more clearly.
On the pier, Rhaegar saw representatives of the three great houses of Gulltown—House Grafton, House Shett, and House Arryn of Gulltown—along with septons. They stood on the first and second tiers. Many wealthy merchants, though dressed in finery, could only stand on the third tier.
As for the ordinary farmers, servants, and dockworkers, they were considered the bottom of society.
Rhaegar noticed the wealthy merchants of Gulltown were numerous, occupying a significant proportion of the crowd. This related to the Vale's geography: mountains on one side, coast on the other, making it relatively conservative and isolated. Land routes to the West, North, and South were difficult, so the Vale's main supplies came from sea trade in the East. The influence of Gulltown's rich merchants was growing daily. Rooted in Gulltown, their businesses flourished.
"Look, my greedy Gulltown relative is here. He looks less like a knight and more like a merchant," Lord Jon complained to his captain of the guard.
Many nobles were poor but fiercely proud, while many merchants possessed wealth but lacked social status. The former sought prestige, the latter substance.
Following Lord Jon's dissatisfaction, Rhaegar noted the pot-bellied, gaudily dressed patriarch of the Gulltown Arryns, who indeed looked more merchant than knight. The Gulltown Arryns were pragmatic; unafraid of starving, they married into wealthy merchant families to build their fortune. Yet, they were despised by the other impoverished branches of House Arryn as vulgar. "How can our ancient House Arryn marry the daughters of common merchants? We would rather starve than degrade ourselves. It is an insult to our family."
Everyone had their own way of living, and the Gulltown Arryns had found theirs.
"Lord Meka Grafton, the administrator of Gulltown, a young and energetic knight."
"Ser Osgood Shett."
"Ser Roland Arryn." He too had blond hair and blue eyes but sported a massive belly—an oversized Arryn.
"Septon Peter, a good man."
"The Customs and Tax Officers of Gulltown."
Lord Jon introduced them to Rhaegar in order of rank. These were the dignitaries of Gulltown, requiring detailed introductions, including their children and families. Afterward came the lesser nobles, and finally the wealthy merchants.
"These are the gentlemen merchants of Gulltown. I imagine you can feel their enthusiasm, Prince Rhaegar," Lord Jon said flatly. He had no love for these merchants. He had heard too many stories of fallen nobles marrying merchants for money, damaging the family name.
But Lord Jon was helpless. People had to live; they had to survive. Though Lord Jon worried, he was powerless to stop the trend.
The faces of the Gulltown merchants were already beaming with joy and smiles. Money was important, but the shelter of power was needed even more. What could be more effective than winning the Prince's favor? Even if they went to King's Landing later, they would have protection.
The merchants of Gulltown waved enthusiastically to Prince Rhaegar and bowed low.
Though young, Rhaegar was handsome and upright, with silver hair and purple eyes, just like the legendary dragonlords. The only pity was the Prince's hair was too short, not the typical long flowing locks of his house.
Rhaegar looked over the Gulltown merchants. They were passionate, dressed in bright colors, and smelling of various spices.
Gulltown's handicrafts and tailoring were famous far and wide. It exported spices, fruits, giant pumpkins, and incense from the Vale. It was also a safe harbor, a vital stop on the way north to Braavos. Being close to the Free Cities, many imitated their hairstyles and fashion.
Rhaegar saw faces full of longing, aspiration, and passion. Most were burly and plump, dressed in finery. By contrast, many of the lesser nobles wore worn clothes and looked gaunt, clearly undernourished.
Land division in the Vale was severe. The fertile land was split into small plots, leaving many landed knights barely scraping by. This was vastly different from the South with its rich soil or the West with its gold mines.
Meanwhile, the merchant class centered in Gulltown, engaged in import and export trade, was thriving.
Rhaegar knew the rise of one and the decline of the other was an obvious trend. Only in the Vale, the situation was unique, and this trend was accelerating.
These merchants and citizens were the new elite of Gulltown. Ambitious and energetic, they would soon turn from commercial speculation to political speculation. Profits from commerce were counted in multiples; profits from politics were incalculable.
Rhaegar thought this might be a great wave of history.
The Third Estate of Gulltown—the rich merchants and citizens—was rising quietly, unwilling to be left behind, ready to join the game of thrones. Furthermore, many Free Cities were controlled by bankers and merchants, which undoubtedly stimulated the merchants here. An interest group of merchants, minor nobles, and citizens was slowly forming in Gulltown. Even many second-tier lords were joining them, driving the tide. Even without Littlefinger, there would be an Oldfinger.
I should utilize these forces too, Rhaegar thought. Perhaps this is a means of interception.
After a brief welcome ceremony, the group followed Lord Grafton to the banquet hall. The Earl had prepared a lavish feast to welcome Lord Jon, Prince Rhaegar, and their retinue.
Seeing the high spirits of the merchants, Rhaegar expected a bountiful harvest of gifts from this trip to Gulltown.
Money was a good thing, and considering their generous offerings, Rhaegar was very friendly toward them.
Rhaegar followed Lord Jon to the hall, while others orbited the Prince and the Lord like stars around the moon.
The merchants basked in the Prince's warm smile, which melted their hearts like spring snow. They were utterly captivated by his charm.
Even if they were rich, their social status could not rise quickly; they still had to fawn over the nobility.
The wealthy merchants were already rubbing their hands, having prepared various gifts for Rhaegar.
Incense, clothing, spices, dried fruits, handicrafts, and more.
One merchant tapped his forehead, thinking: Prince Rhaegar is robust and looks older than a child. Perhaps he needs that kind of service.
However, knowing Lord Jon detested such underhanded dealings, the merchant dismissed the idea of sending a few Lysene girls to Rhaegar.
Besides, if the old King found out, it would be a capital offense.