Chapter 135: Khal Drogo's Feast (Part 7)
"Yes, Yaqqa the Water Dancer, he is now my Kingsguard." Viserys raised his chin even higher. Having a Water Dancer master as his guard was indeed a source of pride for him.
"And I happen to need Master Yaqqa Mor's help." Hazan said, then recounted the whole story of the trial to Viserys.
Of course, in Hazan's version of the story, he was the complete victim.
"So," Hazan continued after finishing his tale, "if Your Grace could send Master Yaqqa to fight for me, I would be more confident in surviving this life-or-death crisis."
"This..." Viserys hesitated, because Hazan had made the situation seem very grave, and he had just referred to Hazan as a 'friend.' Leaving a friend to die was clearly not the behavior of a king.
Hesitantly, Viserys instinctively looked at Illyrio, trying to get a hint from him.
But Hazan, who had been observing Viserys, keenly noticed this movement.
To be precise, Hazan had been waiting for this moment.
Before Viserys could turn his head, Hazan quickly said, "Of course, if Your Grace has any doubts, you can also seek counsel from Magister Illyrio, after all, he is your benefactor and a wise elder."
As Hazan expected, upon hearing this, Viserys, who had already turned halfway, suddenly froze and abruptly turned back.
"Illyrio is merely my benefactor, not my guardian! I don't need anyone's protection!" Viserys clenched his fists and said angrily.
"Your Grace, I apologize. What I meant was... benefactor. Please forgive my unfamiliarity with the Common Tongue," Hazan immediately apologized. "However, regarding Magister Illyrio, perhaps you really should consult him. After all, my relationship with Magister Illyrio isn't exactly harmonious, and perhaps he doesn't want you and me to be friends."
"I don't need anyone's counsel! I am the king. I do what I want, and I help whomever I want. Illyrio is my subject. You say your relationship isn't harmonious? What does that mean? I can order him to make peace with you!"
Viserys could hardly tolerate this disrespect. Everything that had happened tonight had already given him the respect due to a true king, but Hazan's words suddenly reminded him of the days when he was controlled by Illyrio's will.
"If that's truly the case, then all the better. So, Your Grace, you mean you've agreed to help me?" Hazan pressed.
"This..." Viserys was momentarily speechless. He had only meant to say that he didn't need to consider Illyrio's thoughts, but now that things had come to this point, refusing Hazan would be tantamount to admitting he had just been boasting.
"A king's word is his bond," Hazan continued to remind him.
"Of course," Viserys had no choice but to say, "Yaqqa will fight for you."
"Your Grace," Darren suddenly spoke up at this moment.
"Lord Grafton, do you have anything to say?"
"Your Grace, I think we cannot agree to this so easily. At least we need to know how good Prince Hazan's chances of winning are," Darren glanced at Hazan, then looked back at Viserys.
"After all, if you agree, this will be the first time in over a decade that someone has fought as a member of House Targaryen's Kingsguard. The outcome of this trial is directly related to your honor. Our men either will not participate, or they must ensure that Prince Hazan wins."
"Yes, this concerns my honor," Viserys nodded, then looked at Hazan. "Can you win?"
Faced with such a direct question, Hazan was momentarily taken aback: "Of course, Your Grace. This time we have already secured two Water Dancers, a very powerful Fiery Hand (a warrior of the Red Temple of R'hllor), and a champion pit fighter. In addition, I myself am also a formidable warrior. As long as Master Yaqqa joins us, I have absolute confidence in achieving victory."
So you only have three people you can actually rely on, including yourself? Ian thought to himself, standing to the side. If those two Water Dancers really manage to betray you on the spot, even the gods can't save you.
"This..." Viserys looked at Darren again; in most cases, he wasn't someone who could make decisions.
"It's up to you to decide, Your Grace." Darren, of course, wouldn't presume to give an answer.
"Then I won't change my decision." Viserys, unable to get any further guidance from Darren, had no choice but to agree.
"Since you insist, then I hope to work with Master Yaqqa in the coming days. I will scout Prince Hazan's team and find a way to ensure their victory." Darren continued.
"What's your opinion?" Viserys looked at Hazan.
"That's your prerogative, Your Grace." Hazan didn't refuse.
"Very well, then you will go to Hazan with Yaqqa tomorrow. Remember, you must win."
"Your will, Your Grace." Darren accepted the order on the spot.
Hazan thanked Viserys again and returned to his companion. Meanwhile, the conversation between Illyrio and Ambassador Oranto continued.
"A perfect ending." Ian glanced at the woman in red robes beside Hazan's betrothed, Delora, and muttered to himself.
All of Darren's actions tonight were, of course, pre-arranged by Ian. It must be said, this second son of the Lord of Gulltown—no, he's now the Lord of Gulltown—Darren certainly has a talent for performance.
Darren played a crucial role in the perfect conclusion of the second act of this grand play.
And with that, Ian had achieved all his objectives for attending the feast.
First, needless to say, to swear fealty to Viserys and complete the second main quest.
Second, to get Hazan to obtain Viserys's promise so that Ian could intervene in the trial and eliminate player Ander.
Third, to make Darren the direct driving force behind 'Yaqqa's assistance to Hazan in the trial.'
After all, neither he nor Darren appeared alongside Daenerys in the original story, and the players in Pentos would certainly suspect their identities.
Just now, Darren's eagerness to help Hazan win the 'fight against a player' was, in the eyes of Ander and the other players, practically confirming that Darren Grafton was a player.
While being 'confirmed' as a player wouldn't lessen the suspicion against Ander, pushing Darren to the forefront would give Ian an opportunity to draw out his enemies.
Whoever targets Darren next, he could then uncover their true intentions.
(End of Chapter)