The banquet in the throne room had yet to conclude when the king and the high-ranking lords quietly slipped away.
They gathered in a concealed chamber to discuss their next move.
"The destruction of the 'Brave Companions' will reach Braavos soon. Freygo will certainly realize that we have joined forces. We must act quickly."
"But Your Grace, what if the Valyrian—if the people of Volantis harbor any treacherous intent? Ser Davos took the main strength of our fleet with him. If they—"
As a Kingsguard, Oswell's first concern was always Viserys's safety. He feared the Volantenes might betray them for profit.
The value of the warships Davos had taken exceeded four million gold dragons.
"Be at ease. Volantis is ruled by the Elephant Party now, and they value trade above all. They are not likely to turn hostile over one fleet.
Besides, I have already instructed Ser Davos. He will handle this matter for me."
Though Oswell was still uneasy, bringing the fleet back was imperative.
Without it, the pressure from Braavos might collapse the promising situation they had worked so hard to build.
At this moment, Elder Tina, attending Viserys's inner council for the first time, spoke.
"Your Grace, forgive my impertinence, but will the Old Man of the River truly help you—help us?"
Before Viserys could answer, Lothan jumped in.
"Elder Tina, His Grace would not deceive us. Even the Prince's Spear was obtained under the Old Man's guidance."
Lothan was quick to defend, but the expression on his face reminded Viserys of an old movie line: It's not that we doubt you, we just want to see it with our own eyes.
Viserys had already planned to take him along to Volantis, so he simply said:
"If Elder Tina is interested, we can all go. Once we reach Nasar and you meet the Old Man yourself, I believe your doubts will vanish."
Elder Tina was about to agree, reassured by Viserys's calm tone, when Lothan suddenly spoke up:
"Your Grace, Elder Tina excels at restoring the livelihoods of the people. Why not let him stay and stabilize the populace? Allow me to accompany you instead."
"No problem at all."
Viserys smiled. Lothan bowed slightly, excitement flickering in his chest.
He and Elder Tina might well have arranged their little performance beforehand.
Not that Viserys minded.
Elder Tina offered no objection, which eased Lothan's heart. After all, conflict with Braavos was now highly possible.
And Braavos's military strength was nothing short of hegemonic.
Lothan felt deeply uneasy.
Only by witnessing Viserys converse with the Old Man could he truly feel at peace. Otherwise, he would sooner send his two granddaughters away before any war began.
After calming Lothan, Viserys continued outlining preparations.
"Prince Oberyn, go to Pentos at once and secure more supplies for us. Do not mention our alliance with the Rhoynar. Tell them instead that we dealt the Rhoynar a devastating blow and—"
Viserys glanced around and let his eyes rest upon Jona.
"And that we captured Lady Jona."
"Why me? I refuse to be a hostage!" Jona protested immediately, but Lothan silenced her with a gesture.
"Do not worry."
Oberyn was a lustful man, but he had no interest in girls as young as Jona.
"Ser Arthur, you will accompany me to Volantis. We will retrieve the fleet together."
"As you command."
Arthur would never refuse such an assignment.
Viserys then turned to Oswell.
"Ser Oswell, I leave Gohor to you. Delay them for as long as you can. Once I bring the fleet to Gohor, even if Braavos and Pentos unite, we will have nothing to fear."
"I understand, Your Grace."
Though his task was once again to "hold the fort," its importance was immense.
Pentos lay to the west and Braavos to the north; together they could reach Gohor in half a month.
Maintaining stability would require every ounce of Oswell's ability.
Finally, Viserys looked at Crispian, the Old Crab's elder nephew.
"Crispy, choose twenty of my personal guards and one hundred elite soldiers. You will return to Dragonstone.
Ser Davos has been gone with our main fleet for two months. This news will not stay hidden forever.
Tell Dowager Queen Rhaella to load everything on the island onto the ships beforehand.
If Robert attacks Dragonstone, sail south immediately."
"As you command, Your Grace."
Crispian nodded.
Oberyn suddenly added, "After I finish in Pentos, I will go straight to Dragonstone and deliver the message myself."
Viserys knew he was worried about Elia, so he agreed.
Still, once the council ended, Crispian quietly set off for Dragonstone with Viserys's sealed orders.
There was no time to unwind after the battle.
Viserys had planned to leave the morning after the banquet, but their destination was Volantis.
The men and ships accompanying a king could not be less than immaculate.
Insufficient preparation might cause others to look down on him—or worse, suspect his motives.
Thus he was forced to depart only on the fifth day after the feast, once everything was ready.
More than ten ships, over five hundred people, set off down the Rhoyne toward Volantis.
"Your Grace, do you believe the Shrouded Lord of Chroyane is merely a river bandit—or could he truly be Prince Garin?"
As a Rhoynar, Lothan once knew the Rhoyne well.
But now that he knew Viserys could meet the Old Man directly, he found himself the one asking questions.
After half a year in Gohor, everyone here had learned plenty of Essosi history.
All eyes turned to Viserys.
If the Shrouded Lord was truly Prince Garin, it would be extraordinary news for the surviving Rhoynar—perhaps not enough to shake Viserys's rule, but enough to give the Rhoynar people newfound unity.
"I am curious as well. When we meet the Old Man, I will ask him for you."
"No need, Your Grace. It is only idle curiosity." Lothan did not think Viserys would lie.
Even if Gohar lived, nearly a thousand years had passed with no action from him. He was unlikely to do anything now.
"No. We will take the fleet through Chroyane. Knowing more can only help."
Viserys himself wanted to know the truth behind Garin and the ShroudedLord.
In the original timeline, Tyrion traveled with Young Aegon—Illyrio's Blackfyre-blooded son—to Slaver's Bay.
When they passed Chroyane, they were attacked by stone men afflicted with greyscale.
Viserys suspected they attacked out of hunger. Thus, he carried an abundance of food aboard his ships—tribute, of a sort.
He doubted the waterways through Chroyane would be smooth.
If they wanted the fleet to pass safely, they might even need to negotiate with the leader of the stone men.
Gold alone would not suffice. Steel swords were necessary.
Viserys had also brought all his longbowmen. Anyone who dared approach within a hundred paces would share Varys's fate.
With such strength, they could at least guarantee their own survival.
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