Chapter 134: Khal Drogo's Feast (Part 6)
After speaking, Daenerys seemed to want to say something more, but after glancing at Viserys and Illyrio not far away, she chose to remain silent.
Just as Ian was about to continue trying to get closer to her, a wine cup was suddenly offered to him.
"Your taste is dreadful. Compared to our Pentoshi finest vintages, what Dornish people drink is practically horse piss." The red-robed woman who suddenly appeared before Ian probably saw that Ian was holding a cup of Dornish Summer Red, and that's why she said such a thing. "Try Pentoshi amber wine?"
A player? Poisoned wine? That was Ian's first reaction.
"No need," he certainly didn't reach out to take it, but just raised the cup in his hand. "Summer Red is fine, I like the taste."
As he spoke, Ian sized up the woman.
Beneath her red hood was a delicate face, her amber eyes bright and captivating, seemingly possessing a mesmerizing allure. Her light brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, partially obscuring her small ears and highlighting the exceptional paleness of her long neck.
"I also like your scent," the woman in the red robes said with a smile, causing Ian's heart to skip.
A lucky encounter? He couldn't help but think, but the woman's next words sent a chill down his spine.
"The scent of magic," she added softly.
At that moment, Ian used almost all his strength to maintain his composure and prevent himself from showing any unnatural expression.
"Is that so? I'm often told I have an old witch for a grandmother because I'm too clever. Now that you mention it, perhaps she really did cast a spell on me?" Ian joked half-heartedly, while frantically trying to figure out who this woman was.
"Perhaps," the woman in red smiled noncommittally. "Actually, I came to find you because I saw you in the flames."
"Flames?" Ian controlled his emotions. "What did you see?"
Unfortunately, this time the woman in red simply smiled and shook her head. "If you want to know the answer, come to the red temple atop the hill within three days. Let me introduce myself. My name is Kinvara, daughter of the High Priestess of Pentos." Kinvara deliberately drew out the words "High Priestess" before continuing.
Seeing Ian's surprised expression, Kinvara gave a mischievous, knowing smile.
"By the way, your eyes were so wary just now. You don't suspect I'm trying to poison you, do you?" Kinvara said, downing the wine she had just been about to offer Ian.
"I had no such suspicion."
"Hmph!" Kinvara snorted lightly, then quickly left, going to Prince Hazan's betrothed, Delora Haucot.
They were chatting and laughing, clearly very close.
Not a player? The fact that she's the daughter of the High Priestess of Pentos is indeed hard to reconcile with a player.
And her appearance clearly suggests she's a young woman with an impulsive nature... of course, this could be an act.
But the key point is that she could detect the magical aura on someone even when they weren't using magic; this is something only a high-ranking red priestess could do... like spotting a superhero flying overhead.
It wouldn't be surprising if a red priestess trained from childhood possessed this level of skill, but a player at this point in time couldn't possibly have acquired so many points.
After all, there are only so many ways to obtain attribute and skill points.
So, should he go?
To be honest, Kinvara's words did pique Ian's interest. After all, the red temple atop the hill was the last place where the player Kinvara Tem appeared.
He had always wanted to investigate the details of Kinvara Tem's activities further, but he had given up the idea because his main enemy later became Ander Poole. After all, the lesson of not overreaching was a bloody one for him.
In addition, Ian was also curious about what new prophecies would appear in the flames after the original plot had changed.
But going to the red temple himself... that was unnecessary.
What if Kinvara really was a player, or she had a player faction behind her? Wouldn't he just be walking into a trap if he went to the red temple?
Although the possibility was slim, the benefits of going to the red temple were not worth the slightest risk for Ian.
Anyway, as long as he stayed close to Daenerys and gained the friendship of Ambassador Oranto and Prince Hazan, he would be able to rise to power in Slaver's Bay in a year at most.
By then, neither the player faction that might exist behind Kinvara nor Kinvara Tem's player faction would be worthy of comparison to him.
Why should he rush into a confrontation with them now when their strength was evenly matched?
Fighting above one's weight class, winning with fewer numbers—that's just fiction. The game of thrones is about overwhelming the weak with superior force, using one's power to crush the weak, and leveraging every advantage.
Ultimately, Ian decided to ignore Kinvara's invitation and simply have the Mouse investigate the woman.
If further clues were found, he would analyze them more thoroughly.
Then, he looked back at Viserys.
At this moment, Darren and Jorah had completed their oaths, and Prince Hazan and Ambassador Oranto had approached Viserys.
"Congratulations on gaining these excellent bannermen, Your Grace," Oranto said, using honorifics generously—all without any cost.
"And you are?" Viserys asked, puzzled.
"I am Oranto Lantyl, the Braavosi ambassador to Pentos," he said, then gestured to Hazan beside him, "and this is Prince Hazan Moharis."
After Oranto finished speaking, he walked over to Illyrio, pulled him aside, and began to speak quietly.
"Congratulations, Your Grace. I pay my respects on behalf of Pentos." Hazan then approached Viserys. "To celebrate your great restoration, I have prepared a generous gift, which will be delivered to your residence by a servant shortly."
Viserys was momentarily overwhelmed by the pair's attitude; after all, he had never received such treatment during his years of exile.
At the same time, he quickly adopted the airs of a king, as everything that had happened today told him that his status had changed.
"I will remember all the friends who showed me kindness in my time of need," Viserys said, his chin slightly raised, in a haughty tone.
"I would be honored," Hazan bowed slightly. "Besides, I have another matter I would like to ask Your Grace for."
"Oh?" Viserys was even more surprised now; he didn't know what he could do to help the Prince of Pentos.
"Just now, Lord Grafton," Hazan changed his form of address to Darren, because just moments before, Viserys, just as he had done to Ian, had bestowed upon Darren the title of Lord of Gulltown. Though it was a meaningless, empty title, Hazan's gesture made it seem more sincere, "presented to you a Water Dancer."
(End of Chapter)
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