On the endless expanse of green fields, a cavalcade bearing the banner of the three-headed red dragon on a black field galloped forward. Behind them trailed small wheeled carts and a mule train responsible for supplies.
Rhaenys and Daenerys opened the window of their carriage, unable to resist looking around. The scent of the sea breeze and salt was gone.
Before them lay lush greenery and small, rolling hills. This was the former Kingdom of the Hills, the Velvet Hills south of Andalos.
These hills weren't particularly high. They couldn't compare to the Mountains of the Moon or the Red Mountains in Westeros; even the mountains of the Westerlands were steeper than these.
Between Braavos and Pentos, there were two river systems. The first flowed north into Braavos, providing the city with fresh water.
The second flowed south—the Upper Rhoyne and the Little Rhoyne—nourishing the lands of Andalos and the Flatlands of Pentos.
The first river was Braavos's mother river, firmly within Braavosi territory. Unless the Sealord had lost his mind, he wouldn't give that to Viserys.
Viserys was heading for the basin of the second system: the Upper Rhoyne and the Little Rhoyne.
Due to the dynamic balance between Pentos and Braavos, coupled with constant harassment from nomadic tribes and bandits, this area was effectively a no-man's-land.
The Sealord wasn't acting purely out of kindness. He pointed Viserys to unclaimed land, leaving him to deal with bandits, river pirates, and the crude Dothraki horselords on his own.
After disembarking from the river leading from Braavos, Ringo's longship and the Second Sons' envoy departed. Viserys now personally managed his group.
Viserys rode a black Dothraki stallion, a gift from the Sealord. The warhorse was truly magnificent.
However, Viserys had few cavalrymen; most of his force was infantry.
Ser Roland Lake organized the recruits. Those with riding experience and strong physiques were assigned to the cavalry. Those with average horsemanship went to the infantry. Those with little combat experience or riding skill started as apprentices to the Tyroshi smith.
Those with rich crab-fishing experience temporarily formed Viserys's navy. The lands of Andalos had no shortage of water; light boats could be used for transport and fishing.
Recruitment and expansion were the main themes. Viserys not only had to train his subordinates but also arm them.
When the opportunity arose, Viserys felt he would need to go to Pentos to buy horses. Since the Dothraki often extorted Pentos, there was a flow of horses and goods between the two.
"Finding a foothold in the wolves' den," Viserys looked at the vast land he was to manage. It was a land of great promise, but also fraught with danger.
Regardless, this was the start of his path of conquest.
Since the Fall of Valyria, no single power had been able to fully develop the continent of Essos. The Free Cities focused on fragmented development centered around their city-states.
Between the major powers lay vast tracts of fertile land, such as Andalos, the Disputed Lands, and the Golden Fields.
"This is the land of Andalos, the ancient home of the Andals," Syrio said.
"It is here," Ser Roland recited from the ancient holy book with excitement. "The Father reached his hand into the heavens and pulled down seven stars, and one by one he set them on the brow of Hugor of the Hill to make a glowing crown."
"That is from The Seven-Pointed Star," Viserys said. "Later, the Andals received a divine revelation and migrated en masse across the Narrow Sea to invade Westeros."
"I reckon it wasn't revelation, but fear of the rising Valyrians. After all, the Andals couldn't even defeat the Rhoynar, and the Rhoynar were later destroyed by the Dragonlords," Ser Roland explained.
It felt like the Eastern Continent was a food chain. The Andals, not particularly dominant here, became unstoppable once they reached Westeros.
"Your Grace, if we build a castle here, we will likely attract trouble from the Dothraki," Ser Roland added. "Outside the cities of Pentos and Braavos, there are no towns."
Having been a mercenary, he knew some Dothraki customs.
The Dothraki were primitive environmentalists; they disliked towns and cities, wishing to return the earth to its natural state. Four hundred years ago, the Dothraki rode west toward the Free Cities, sacking and burning every town and city in their path.
"We have offended enough people already. Offending the horselords is inevitable in the future," Viserys said. "For now, we survive in the tiger's mouth."
Having a castle was always better than wandering in exile.
Viserys calculated that he had truly become a troublemaker. Not only Robert and Tywin across the Narrow Sea, but also the Prestayns in Braavos, and soon the Dothraki.
Viserys felt a sense of "too much debt to worry about." Best to focus on development first.
Viserys had considered building a castle at the confluence of the Upper Rhoyne, but the engineering project would be too massive, requiring control of upstream dams. A stone fort on the hill would be more convenient.
"We found a fort. It was left by mountain bandits," a scout reported upon return.
There were bandits in the Velvet Hills, but they never grew too powerful—they were no match for the swarming Dothraki hordes.
Viserys rode over. It was a simple camp built of stone atop a hill.
The bandits who once terrorized the area were long dead, but their camp remained.
Viserys looked at the camp built of grey-brown stone, now covered in moss in many places.
The Velvet Hills had mountains, water, and fertile soil.
This bandit fort stood on the highest hill in the area, which surprisingly had a flowing spring.
In front was the middle-upper reach of the Upper Rhoyne; behind were the gentle slopes of the endless Velvet Hills, facing towards Norvos.
Some distance down the hill lay Ghoyan Drohe at the confluence of the Upper Rhoyne and the Little Rhoyne, and the Valyrian Road.
The Dothraki usually traveled the Valyrian Road when leaving the Rhoyne. This distance gave Viserys some room to maneuver.
Whether for the high ground, convenient water access, or the ability to retreat into the mountains for guerrilla warfare, this campsite occupied a superb strategic location.
Even if besieged in the future, they could hold out for a considerable time.
"This will be our foothold for now," Viserys declared.
"Since we have a new territory, it should have a new name."
"Let's call it Viserys Fort," Viserys said.
Naming a fort after a person was very common.
"Ser Roland," Viserys said to him. "The defenses of this castle are incomplete. I know a place where we can get stone."
"Where is it, Your Grace?" Roland asked.
"In the hills near Ghoyan Drohe, there should be a megalithic circle, said to be built by giants. We can utilize those stones," Viserys said.
"I will send men to check."
Actually, there was also a massive Valyrian steel sphinx statue standing by the road there, with a dragon's body and a woman's face.
Viserys thought that once his fort was ready, he might just steal that statue too.