Chapter 162 A True Dragon Is Hard to Tame
After observing the ancient ruins of Qohor and the lush Velvet Hills, Rhaegar rode his dragon back to his mansion in Pentos.
From Qohor to Pentos, the dragon's flying speed made for a quick journey. However, the drawback was the absence of towns along the way, a result of the Dothraki Khals' iron hooves, leaving a blemish on the otherwise perfect scene.
Strictly speaking, the nine Free Cities are a combination of city-states and their surrounding vassal villages and lands. While the city is the core, it cannot thrive without the support of the surrounding land. Each major city-state has a certain sphere of influence, and most of their surrounding areas are fertile, often even having vassal towns that assist the main city. A typical example is Volantis, which was once the hegemon among the nine Free Cities. Volantis itself is the southeasternmost of the Free Cities, located in the delta region at the four mouths of the Rhoyne. The towns along the lower Rhoyne, such as Sarhoy, Valysar, and Volon Therys, are all under Volantene rule. Although nominally towns, their populations are comparable to cities. Other Free Cities are less impressive.
"I need to make the Rhoyne banks prosperous again, and first, I must deal with the Dothraki Khals!" Rhaegar thought. The Dothraki Khals threaten the Rhoyne and even the city-states to its west. Not to mention Pentos and Qohor, some Khals even plan to harass Volantis. The Free Cities have always loved giving gifts, but that cannot solve everything.
The loud flapping of the dragon's leathery wings made many people in Pentos notice the return of the dragon and the Dragonrider.
"My young friend, did you take a tour of the Pentos Plains? Was the scenery picturesque!" Not long after, Magister Illyrio Mopatis came to visit and asked Rhaegar.
"Yes. The scenery of the Pentos Plains is enchanting, a pastoral idyll." Rhaegar praised, speaking from the heart. The scenery of the Pentos Plains was indeed beautiful.
"I'm not boasting, but among the Free Cities, there are few lands as fertile and rich as the Pentos Plains. Braavos's influence controls the hills of Andalos, Volantis controls the Rhoyne delta, and we control the Pentos Plains. The Three Daughters can only contend for sovereignty over the Disputed Lands." Magister Illyrio Mopatis said proudly.
Rhaegar agreed with his opinion regarding the fertile territories occupied by the Free Cities. Pentos and Volantis were particularly prominent. Braavos's sphere of influence was in the hilly lands of Andalos, while Pentos possessed the fertile Pentos Plains. As for Volantis, the fertile and productive lands of the Rhoyne delta were world-renowned and supported the largest population among the Free Cities.
"The Pentos Plains are all fertile lands, rich and prosperous, but we also have our troubles," Magister Illyrio Mopatis sighed. "Did the Prince notice that after leaving Pentos and traveling along the Valyrian Road, there were no towns to be seen? Most of the towns here have fallen into ruins; the Dothraki have no fondness for towns. Any Khal who wants to lead his khalasar to see the sea will pass through the Pentos Plains; they are simply a swarm of locusts ravaging the land."
"My fat friend, you didn't say that before. You have gold, can't it make the Dothraki Khals bend the knee?" Rhaegar asked.
"Then I need to clarify my point, my young friend. The peace brought by gold is generally effective, but it's inevitable to encounter crazy Khals or muddled Khals. We have always been watching this situation, fearing the emergence of a Khal who could unite the Dothraki Sea," Magister Illyrio Mopatis spread his hands. "Braavos and the Dothraki Khals are not easy to deal with."
"My fat friend, I thought the Council of Magisters of Pentos truly believed that under the influence of gold, the Dothraki Khals would meekly obey. Don't you prefer this kind of peace, relying on gifts and food, as it is very cost-effective? Moreover, you are not without protectors! They are close at hand, the great Sealord of Braavos." Rhaegar joked.
"My young friend, you truly jest. We like to pave the way with gold, but we also believe that gold is not omnipotent; one must always have more than one idea. We befriend the Khals, and we also befriend the Dragonlord." Magister Illyrio Mopatis made a gesture, a grotesque smile on his face. "Peace was forced upon us by the Sealord of Braavos, forbidding us from having more than twenty warships, limiting our troop size, and prohibiting the use of slaves. How could we surrender to our enemies just because the Khals arrive? Moreover, the Braavosi fleet is invincible, but that's at sea. When it comes to the size of land armies, we are still far inferior to Volantis and the Iron Throne in King's Landing."
"My fat friend, I am willing to offer you some assistance when the Khals go mad and attack the walls of Pentos," Rhaegar said. He played a word game; he wouldn't care if the Khals crossed the river and attacked the plains; he would only intervene if the Khals besieged the city walls, putting Pentos in dire straits.
Magister Illyrio Mopatis's face showed joy. He had initially thought their cooperation was based on animosity towards Braavos, but he didn't expect Prince Rhaegar to be willing to help against potential Dothraki Khal raids.
"Dragons are not deployed casually, my fat friend," Rhaegar said, beginning to bargain. "I want a place from you!"
"My young friend, please speak!" Magister Illyrio Mopatis said.
"Qohor!" Rhaegar said.
Illyrio showed an incredulous expression, stroking his oiled beard with his fat hand. "My young friend, that place is a destroyed town and very dangerous. I admit the scenery there is beautiful, but it is, after all, a small place, far less prosperous than Pentos. Qohor is too close to the Rhoyne, which also means the Khals could arrive at any time. What do you want that small, dilapidated town for? If you need a farm or an orchard, I have plenty here that I can give to the Prince."
"I might also need an interest-free loan! My fat friend, when I rebuild a town in Qohor, that will be your frontline against the Dothraki Khals." Rhaegar began to solicit money from Illyrio.
"What a crazy plan, my young friend, you really intend to build a city on ruins! Could Qohor possess some magic that guides you after a thousand years?" Illyrio's eyes widened, and he was indeed hesitant. The ruins of Qohor were strategically important; once revived, they could potentially threaten Braavos and the Dothraki Khals.
"I plan to restore it. There will be opportunities in danger, just like business; dangerous business yields high profits." Rhaegar looked at Magister Illyrio Mopatis and offered him a glass of fine wine.
"You put that very well. In that case, I can only do my best to help you. However, there's another issue: building a town on the Little Rhoyne is a matter of great consequence. And you traverse two continents; be wary of those who are hostile and jealous." Magister Illyrio Mopatis finished his wine. "But if you are so resolute, I can help with this matter, but if you expand Qohor, there are two main points. First is the scale of the ruins; if the scale is too large, it will not only frighten the Sealord and the Khals, but Pentos will also be displeased. Second, externally, you cannot say that offering the land is the will of our Council of Magisters of Pentos; after all, it is an exclave. You say it is your own will, and we will not provide you with any written documents, nor may we offer you the favorable treatment of the magisters."
"Alright, my fat friend, your strategy is also quite good. Qohor is a small town, and its revival will not be easy. My fat friend, for now, set your mind at ease..." Rhaegar looked at Illyrio, whose considerations were indeed very thorough. Rhaegar was quite satisfied; Illyrio feared the contract with Braavos, so why not act first and report later?
"My young friend, be careful of enemies. The Braavosi, the Dothraki, the people of the Three Daughters city-states—the stronger you are, the more they will fear you. Besides strength, a soft disguise is also a strategy!" Magister Illyrio Mopatis said, understanding he could not persuade Rhaegar.
"I don't like to wait; the situation should be created by us. I do want to experience Braavos's methods. If Braavos can rally opposition against me, that would be even better." Rhaegar did not back down.
Magister Illyrio Mopatis sighed; true dragons were indeed difficult to tame. Like raging fire, untamed.
"Let's not talk about these games of thrones; let's discuss something cheerful. Today, I have brought a gift for the Prince!" Magister Illyrio Mopatis said.
"What gift!" Rhaegar became interested. He had been living off Pentos for free, so he wanted to see what good things Magister Illyrio Mopatis had brought this time.
Magister Illyrio Mopatis made a gesture, and the Unsullied eunuchs brought a small turquoise wooden gift box.
Opening the beautifully packaged, jewel-encrusted box, inside was a wax seal, representing a diagonally crossed chain.
"This is the wax seal of House Roxton!" Rhaegar recognized.
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