In the distance, Myrish painters were busy creating portraits, a rare opportunity given the simultaneous presence of so many Braavosi courtesans.
Myrish art was known for its vivid, lifelike style, leaning towards realism.
Viserys was stealing the limelight; wherever the gong sounded, he seemed to be there. Even in the portraits of the courtesans, Viserys's figure could be found in the background or by their side.
Viserys danced consecutively with the Black Pearl, the Daughter of the Dusk, Moonshadow, and the Nightingale, causing Braavosi heads to turn in wonder, speculating on the identity of this silver-haired guest in the silver mask.
Viserys noticed plenty of eyes on him—some annoyed, some dissatisfied, some burning with jealousy.
Viserys enjoyed the attention, but he had genuinely angered quite a few "young talents."
This was the price of standing out like a tall tree in a forest or a crane among chickens.
However, Viserys couldn't be bothered with their gazes. Fame always attracts the envy of the mediocre. Viserys relied purely on his looks and talent; no tricks involved.
"Silver hair... it's the Silver Traveler." Someone quickly deduced his identity.
"No wonder." Some Braavosi felt a sense of relief. Such a genius creator naturally commanded respect, though the face the courtesans were giving him was still enormous.
The Nightingale and Moonshadow went on to dance with others; as courtesans, this was their means of socializing.
The Black Pearl had disappeared somewhere, likely off charming someone else in conversation.
For a moment, the flutter of lesser beauties on the dance floor was overshadowed by the brilliance of the top courtesans.
"Why aren't you going?" Viserys asked the Daughter of the Dusk curiously.
"I don't like it," she replied. "My patience is limited."
"Oh." Viserys felt this cool beauty in the black dress was a woman of character. He wanted to ask if she had trained in the arts of the Faceless Men but held his tongue.
Everyone had secrets; it was best not to pry.
They found a table, sat for a drink, and chatted.
"Many people like the bustle, but I'm not particularly fond of it," the Daughter of the Dusk said.
"Same here," Viserys nodded without elaborating.
"You seem to enjoy the limelight well enough. You've made quite a splash today; your fame is boundless right now." She glanced at him.
Viserys set down his cup. "I was passive in this. The Black Pearl invited me."
"You looked very active to me. But gain and loss are a cycle. You've gained the spotlight, but you've also gained plenty of haters." Her words carried a hidden warning.
"Then why do you continue to dance with me, putting me on the roasting spit? I had only offended the Black Pearl's admirers, but now I've offended everyone." Viserys rolled his eyes at her.
"I don't care about that. If the Black Pearl admires someone, I have to observe them carefully too."
"I have many aspects worth observing. Unless you want to observe my body?"
"If I asked you to come, would you dare? I'm afraid you couldn't afford my price."
"Since you are the Daughter of the Dusk, do you have any special... features?" Viserys asked curiously.
Courtesans usually had some unique selling point.
"Of course I do," she scoffed, then stared into her cup. "This wine is only good because of the location, just like the food in Braavos. The fish and shellfish around the city reek too much of the sea. Only the mudflats washed by the river or the deep ocean yield good food. Remember your place, Silver Traveler."
Viserys paused. Those words about the food sounded suspiciously like something the Kindly Man, a leader of the House of Black and White, might say. Was it a coincidence?
"Thank you for your advice." Viserys felt the Daughter of the Dusk had a subtle mind; her grasp of the big picture might rival the Black Pearl's.
As Viserys and the Daughter of the Dusk chatted, an uninvited guest quietly approached.
"The silver-haired Silver Traveler?" A brown-haired man appeared opposite Viserys.
"That is me," Viserys replied.
Hearing someone call his alias, he looked up to see a member of House Prestayn.
"The Daughter of the Dusk is here too?" The brown-haired young man greeted her, though the jealousy and dissatisfaction in his heart only grew.
Why? Why does this insignificant foreigner have the favor of so many courtesans? He's just a sour pedant who plays with words.
The Daughter of the Dusk nodded. "Today is a grand celebration for Braavos."
"Insight." Viserys looked at the newcomer, reading the subtle changes in his expression. The man did not come with good intentions.
Behind the young master of House Prestayn stood a massive bodyguard. Though masked, Viserys could see pale green eyes and a thick, red-gold beard that reached his waist.
"Isn't this the Titan's Bastard?" Viserys looked at the guard's appearance and immediately recalled who he was. A Braavosi, a brutal, bearded man.
Later, Mero would become the commander of the Second Sons, eventually killed by Barristan Selmy while attempting to assassinate Daenerys.
Viserys hadn't expected to see a younger Mero working for the Prestayn family.
But it made sense. Mercenaries were fickle; when money ran low, joining a mercenary company was a standard move.
"You are a friend of the Black Pearl and the Daughter of the Dusk?" the brown-haired masked man said. "Then you are worthy of being a friend of Prestayn."
"That is a great honor," Viserys said, though internally he was dismissive.
These courtesans represented wealth, connections, and intelligence networks. This Prestayn noble didn't seem to offer much attraction in comparison.
Moreover, judging by how the Mermaid Queen operated, the Prestayn family didn't seem like benevolent types.
"Forgive my presumption, but I had never heard the name of the Silver Traveler before. May I ask where you hail from?" Prestayn asked, a note of arrogance in his voice.
"From a faraway place, naturally. I am but a traveler," Viserys shrugged.
"Oh, a VIP guest of the Black Pearl, it seems."
"A guest, yes. But we are also friends," Viserys looked at Prestayn steadily.
Prestayn understood the implication.
The silver-masked man was the Black Pearl's friend, not her subordinate. In other words, he wasn't under her protection.
Such a talented foreigner, without a patron... he looked naturally like a piece of fat meat ready for the taking.
"Silver Traveler, your fame resounds through the Secret City. I wish to invite you to Prestayn Tower. I wonder if you would agree?"
"I love banquets. However, I am not one for signing contracts. I come and go as I please. I am just an ordinary traveler," Viserys said. "But I hear the Prestayn family is wealthy and influential. Will there be courtesans dancing and fine food and wine?"
Viserys had already anticipated Prestayn's thoughts. It seemed they wanted him to help package and promote the Mermaid Queen, and perhaps lock him into an economic contract?
The Daughter of the Dusk watched silently. This was the path Viserys had chosen.
If he didn't attach himself to a major power, he would have to solve his own problems. It wasn't her place to intervene.
"No matter, no matter. We shall talk only of feasting, nothing else," the masked Prestayn said, feeling the kid was a bit ungrateful.
"Foreigner, don't be ignorant of when to advance and when to retreat. Prestayn wants to be your friend; you just listen," the Titan's Bastard grunted coldly. His muscles were visible—a bloodthirsty, berserk warrior.
"My dance partner is waiting for me," Prestayn said. "Goodbye, Lady Daughter of the Dusk, Mr. Silver Traveler."
"This is my invitation. I hope you will consider it carefully." Prestayn turned and left with the Titan's Bastard.
"Is trouble coming for you?" the Daughter of the Dusk asked. "Prestayn isn't one of the top families anymore, but they shouldn't be underestimated. If you want peace and quiet, perhaps you should go to the Black Pearl."
"Trouble has come, yes. But I will let him know that I am the biggest trouble of all," Viserys said, a sharp, resolved light shining in his violet eyes.