Chapter 133: Khal Drogo's Feast (Part 5)
"As you can see, Master Yaqqa is now serving me, and I intend to present him to His Grace Viserys, making him one of His Grace's Kingsguard," Darren continued. "So, if you wish for Master Yaqqa to fight for you, perhaps you can ask His Grace's opinion later."
"Viserys?" Hazan said, looking at Ambassador Oranto.
Hazan had never dealt with the Beggar King, but he had heard many negative rumors about Viserys and had always considered him a jest. He never imagined he would one day need help from him.
However, before Oranto could respond, Ian spoke first to Darren in a deliberately lowered voice, just loud enough for Oranto and Hazan to hear: "Magister Illyrio warned us not to get involved in anything related to the Pentoshi factional struggle."
"Lord Ian, I admit I admire you greatly; your wisdom and talent have won me over. For a long time, I practically played the role of your man," Darren said, looking at Ian with great seriousness. "But now I must remind you, we are bannermen of His Grace Viserys, not Magister Illyrio."
"There's no conflict," Ian retorted instinctively, then quickly stopped, reaching out a hand to Darren's shoulder. "We'll talk about this later; I'll explain everything to you."
However, Darren slapped Ian's hand away, his attitude firm: "In any case, on this matter, I only obey His Grace Viserys's orders."
Ian's face darkened instantly. Facing the stares from those around him, he reluctantly agreed, "Of course, if it's His Grace's will, I will carry it out with my life." Ian added, "However, Magister Illyrio is His Grace's most important ally, and I believe His Grace will not disregard the Magister's wishes."
Hearing Ian's words, Prince Hazan's eyes lit up instantly, as if inspired.
Then, he remembered the overly high praise from Tybero Itirios, the cheesemonger who had given Ian and Darren the invitation, and couldn't help but look at Ian again, staring at him for several seconds, hoping to find any trace of deception on his face.
Unfortunately, he gained nothing. Ian's eyes were filled with anxiety and embarrassment, lacking the cunning he had expected.
"But what if His Grace's will differs from the Magister's?" Darren pressed, his words accompanied by the gazes of the Pentoshi nobles who had just witnessed Ian's oath to Viserys, putting Ian in a difficult position.
"Then I will naturally pledge my loyalty to His Grace," Ian replied, 'forced.'
Darren, having received a satisfactory answer, nodded.
"Lord Ian Darry," Ambassador Oranto said, waiting until Ian and Darren's conversation ended, "I can assure you that Illyrio will not object, nor will he cause you any trouble."
Ian was somewhat surprised, because according to his deduction, Ambassador Oranto should be a rival in the political struggles of Braavos, opposing those behind Illyrio.
But Oranto's certainty made Ian wonder if his deduction was flawed, or if there were some hidden circumstances he was unaware of.
"I hope so." Ian didn't elaborate, maintaining a polite demeanor, but his mood was clearly subdued.
Ambassador Oranto didn't say anything more, instead taking the opportunity to continue talking to the Water Dancer, Yaqqa.
At this point, Ian breathed a slight sigh of relief, as his first phase of the performance was over. Even afterward, when Illyrio asked his informants about the details of the incident, he had always stood on Illyrio's side, and his final statement was entirely out of necessity.
Now it all depended on whether Prince Hazan and Oranto understood his earlier implication and whether they could persuade Viserys.
Illyrio and the others' conversation with Drogo didn't last long; they quickly returned to their original positions with Daenerys.
Oranto and Hazan didn't rush forward to greet them, but instead let Darren and Jorah, who had been waiting for some time, step forward first to swear their oaths.
Watching their oath ceremony, Ian suddenly felt someone tug at his sleeve. He turned around and saw Daenerys's slightly nervous face.
"Your Highness," Ian gave a slight bow.
"Ser," Daenerys returned the bow awkwardly. She had studied Westerosi etiquette but had never had the opportunity to use it.
"You're my brother's knight now, aren't you?" Daenerys asked softly, a glimmer of hope in her violet eyes.
"And your knight too, Your Highness," Ian replied habitually, but when he saw the joy on Daenerys's face the moment she heard this, he suddenly felt a complex mix of emotions, an indescribable feeling, an instinctive discomfort—a feeling he hadn't had when he deceived Viserys.
But it was merely discomfort. For Ian, who had been in the world of Ice and Fire for almost three months, the concept of moral boundaries was no longer in his vocabulary.
To paraphrase a quote from someone, though the usage is somewhat inappropriate: lying, deception, and theft—that's the essence of the game of thrones.
"Are you related to Uncle Willem? Are you both from House Darry?" Dany had no recollection of House Darry. She only remembered the burly, grey-bearded man. When the rebel fleet stormed Dragonstone and began the slaughter, it was Ser Willem Darry who, with four loyal men, burst into the nursery, rescued her and her brother, and led them to Braavos.
Along with this came Dany's most cherished childhood memories: the red door of the large house in Braavos and the lemon tree outside her window.
"Yes," Ian replied, "but I don't really remember him." This was the truth; Ian's impression of the knight was limited to what he'd read in Daenerys's chapters in the books. But he had an explanation ready: "I was too young when the War of the Usurper happened; I had no idea what was going on. The only thing I had in common with them was loyalty flowing in my blood."
"Yes, Uncle Willem was a loyal knight," Daenerys nodded in agreement. "So are you."
Daenerys clearly believed Ian, even though they had been on the run, traveling from Braavos to Myr, from Myr to Tyrosh, then to Qohor, Volantis, and Lys, finally settling in Pentos.
Her brother always said that the Usurper's assassins were hunting them, but Daenerys had never seen a single assassin, so she wasn't suspicious.
Moreover, Ian felt very approachable to her. This approachability stemmed from two things: firstly, the preconceived trust in the loyal name of Darry, and secondly, the fact that Ian had previously rescued her from Viserys's moment of madness.
Although Ian had only come to swear fealty to Viserys, Daenerys clearly remembered that Ian had been observing at first, but as soon as he saw her being hurt by Viserys, he immediately rushed over.
He was there to help her, she knew.
(End of Chapter)
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