Chapter 220: Naming the Price
Daenerys was unimpressed by the Iron Bank's legendary wealth.
Ever since she had first commanded eight thousand Unsullied, money had ceased to be something she valued highly.
Yes, she intended to widen the Kingsroad and rebuild King's Landing's sewer system, but neither project needed to begin immediately. There was no reason for her to forgive Braavos so easily after its participation in the attack against her.
"I don't just want reparations," Daenerys declared firmly. "I want submission. Otherwise, I'll keep fighting until you submit."
"Your Grace," Albert replied, his expression turning solemn, "we never submitted to Valyria itself. What makes you think we would submit now?"
"Because you never attacked Valyria."
Before sailing to Braavos, Daenerys had thoroughly studied the city's history.
And her response struck directly at the greatest concern shared by both the Sealord and Albert.
Braavos had been the aggressor.
They had joined the coalition that attacked her fleet.
If Daenerys chose to destroy Braavos in retaliation, they had no moral argument to stand on.
"We are willing to become a vassal city of Westeros," the Sealord finally said, voicing the reluctant compromise that the four leaders had agreed upon before coming here.
"That's not what I want."
"Braavos is a Free City," the Sealord and Albert answered almost simultaneously. "It cannot become part of Westeros."
A faint smile appeared on Daenerys's face.
"You would remain free under my rule."
"You know I liberated every slave in Slaver's Bay and gave them their freedom. Why would I deprive you of yours?"
Neither man paid attention to her teasing.
The freedom they cared about had little to do with slavery.
Albert leaned forward, his tone almost pleading.
"Let Braavos remain a vassal city. We are still willing to offer substantial compensation."
As long as Braavos remained a tributary state, the Sealord and the city's ruling class would continue to govern.
If it became a direct possession of Westeros, they would likely be pushed aside entirely. Every major decision would ultimately belong to Queen Daenerys.
Daenerys simply looked at him in silence.
Her stance did not change.
Grinding his teeth, Albert finally named a number.
"We will pay three million gold dragons to compensate for the losses you suffered in the previous war."
Daenerys didn't react.
She remained seated, motionless.
Seeing no response, Albert's heart sank.
"Five million."
His voice became heavier.
"That is the highest compensation we can offer. For comparison, the largest debt the Iron Bank ever extended to King Robert was only six million gold dragons."
He had increased the offer by another two million in a single breath.
Daenerys merely shook her head.
Still no answer.
Still no concession.
Albert's expression darkened.
"Your appetite is truly extraordinary, Your Grace."
"I'm afraid we cannot satisfy it."
Having reached five million gold dragons without success, he refused to bid any higher.
Daenerys finally spoke.
"My appetite is larger than you imagine."
She leaned slightly forward, her violet eyes fixed on him.
"Ten million gold dragons."
"And Braavos becomes my vassal city."
"Otherwise, when I march into Braavos..."
Her gaze shifted toward the distant city beyond the Titan.
"...the entire Iron Bank will belong to me."
Daenerys had no intention of wasting any more time.
She had already stated her terms.
Albert shot to his feet.
"This is robbery!"
His square face flushed crimson with anger.
Daenerys's expression darkened.
"You may leave now."
"Prepare yourselves for dragonfire."
Hiss!
Drogon let out a perfectly timed growl.
A stream of smoke mixed with glowing embers drifted toward the two men.
The Sealord immediately sprang from his chair and retreated alongside Albert.
Several black sparks landed on the ship's deck.
Though tiny, they had not fully extinguished.
One ember burned straight through the hardwood planks, leaving behind a deep hole that continued to smoke.
[We only robbed people once. You don't have to keep bringing it up.]
Having successfully frightened the pair, Drogon felt rather wronged.
Watching the two men stumble backward in alarm, Daenerys was just beginning to feel satisfied when she heard Drogon's mental complaint.
Her expression froze.
She shot him a glare before turning to leave.
"Your Grace!"
The Sealord hurried after her.
"Neither Albert nor I can make this decision alone. Please allow us to return and consult the others before giving you our answer."
Daenerys paused and turned.
Her gaze passed over the Sealord and settled on Albert.
Albert noticed her looking at him and awkwardly turned his head aside.
"I'll give you one day."
Daenerys withdrew her gaze.
"If I don't have your answer by this time tomorrow, I will begin the assault."
The only reason Daenerys was willing to accept Braavos as a vassal city was because the city itself was unique.
It had been founded by escaped Valyrian slaves and their descendants.
From the very beginning, Braavos's rulers had vowed that no elderly person, woman, or child would ever be enslaved again.
The city opposed slavery in all forms.
It had even fought multiple wars against neighboring states because of that principle.
Its repeated conflicts with Pentos stemmed largely from Pentos's open support of slavery and the slave trade.
After several wars, Braavos had completely humbled Pentos, forcing it to sign treaties limiting its navy, reducing its military, and abolishing slave trading.
Daenerys genuinely admired that spirit of resistance.
She respected the city's history.
That was why she was willing to show mercy.
But only on her terms.
Braavos had to become a vassal city, just like New Ghis and Old Ghis.
And it had to pay massive reparations.
Otherwise, no amount of admiration would make her overlook its role in the attempt on her life.
After returning to Braavos, the Sealord and Albert immediately convened the city's major power brokers, along with the senior officials of the Iron Bank.
The moment they heard Daenerys's conditions—
Ten million gold dragons.
—many reacted exactly as Albert had.
Several immediately called for war.
They would rather fight to the death than accept such humiliation.
The Sealord listened quietly before speaking.
"As long as the Black Dragon flies one circle over Braavos..."
"...Braavos will belong to her."
"And so will the Iron Bank."
The room fell silent.
His words reminded everyone of the dragon that had crushed sea monsters and shrugged off scorpion bolts.
The same dragon that had shattered the coalition fleet outside Dragonstone.
Suddenly, the calls for war became much less enthusiastic.
"Even with dragons, she has no right to burn our city!"
One descendant of an Iron Bank keyholder spoke up, attempting to appeal to morality.
The short, bearded man looked around the room, hoping for support.
The Sealord looked at him calmly.
"If I remember correctly..."
"Weren't you one of the strongest supporters of sending troops against Dragonstone?"
The man's face immediately stiffened.
"I..."
His voice died in his throat.
The entire room turned toward him.
At that moment, another Iron Bank official suddenly spoke.
"I propose that those who advocated for war should bear responsibility for the reparations."
The room erupted.
His words reminded everyone how this disaster had begun in the first place.
The anti-war faction immediately rallied behind the proposal.
Why should they pay for someone else's mistake?
Within moments, the debate shifted entirely.
No longer was the question whether to fight or surrender.
Now the argument was over who would be paying how much gold.
The shouting continued deep into the night.
When the meeting finally ended, the anti-war faction had won.
They would contribute only a small portion of the reparations.
The overwhelming majority of the payment would come from the factions, families, and individuals who had originally pushed Braavos into the war.
(End of Chapter)