Chapter 209: Recruiting The Red Viper
273 AC, Ghoyan Drohe, the ruined city of the Rhoynar people near the Little Rhoyne River.
Rhaegar Targaryen piloted his dragon back and forth across the Narrow Sea. Rhaegar had many tasks, mainly three major areas: first, King's Landing municipal administration and transportation, starting with expanding the Kingsroad towards Harrenhal; second, maintaining the normal operation of the Stepstones region, including the Narrow Sea Fleet and Bloodstone Customs; and third, the reconstruction of Ghoyan Drohe. For each matter, with all the tedious rules and regulations, Rhaegar only took charge of the main work, leaving the minor details to capable individuals.
In the center of Ghoyan Drohe, a black dragon on a silver field banner had been raised, featuring a silver dragon spitting fire. This was the first time in two or three hundred years that House Targaryen had occupied land on the Eastern Continent again. The same was true for those with Rhoynar bloodlines. As for Pentos's attitude, what else could it be but predictable? The people of Pentos actually had no control over this area. The people of Pentos had been scared into submission by the Dothraki khals; it was inherently unreasonable that there wasn't a single town on the plains outside Pentos. If the people of Pentos didn't dare offend a khal, much less would they offend a more violent Dragonlord. Since the waters of the Eastern Continent were already so muddy, they might as well let the Dragonlords stir things up.
Two young men were strolling through the town. One was the tall, slender, and elegant Prince of Dorne, and the other was the tall, dangerous Valyrian Dragonlord with silver hair and purple eyes. Behind them, a knight in milk-white scale armor guarded their safety—Ser Barristan. The knight remained silent, watching the two young warriors before him. In truth, they hardly needed his protection, as their skills were top-notch throughout the Seven Kingdoms, but this was the duty of the White Knight.
"The reunion of the Old Valyrian Dragonlord and the Rhoynar descendant!" Rhaegar thought. Rhaegar's eyes were indigo-purple, his silver short hair shone brightly, and his face possessed the inhuman handsomeness of Old Valyria. Rhaegar wore a simple shirt, dressed casually and plainly. The most dazzling thing on his entire body was probably the Valyrian steel sword, Orphan-Maker. Meanwhile, Oberyn's eyes were black and bright like pools of kerosene, and his forehead and nose were sharp. Oberyn was a genuine salty Dornishman, soft and dark, with smooth olive skin and long black hair drifting in the wind. Oberyn wore a silk robe, its long sleeves flowing, cinched by a jeweled belt.
"Prince Oberyn, this is your first time here, isn't it?" Rhaegar asked Oberyn. When Rhaegar Targaryen was not in Ghoyan Drohe, he still needed a regional commander to garrison Ghoyan Drohe. Rhaegar had considered Robert, but Robert Baratheon probably only had patience for chasing women, drinking, and jousting, and he was still a bit young. The most suitable candidate among the young generation across the Seven Kingdoms might just be Oberyn. Furthermore, the ties between the Dornishmen and the Rhoynar people, and the Rhoyne River, were the deepest. Just the possibility of restoring the ancient ruins of the Rhoynar people's town would instill a sense of adventure and courage in Oberyn. Rhaegar might be able to win Oberyn over without spending an ounce of gold. Oberyn was naturally restless, fond of adventure, and widely interested.
"This is indeed my first time here. Mother Rhoyne, things have changed and people are gone. Time is like a killer, devouring everything precious. Where have those fountains, orchards, and beautiful cities vanished to? I originally planned to travel through the nine Free Cities, but then I received your invitation, Prince Rhaegar!" Oberyn sighed. How could a Dornishman not consider the Rhoyne River? Although Nymeria burned her ships, they still had the Tower of the Sun and the Spear Tower; the sun represents Nymeria of the Rhoyne River. Oberyn was the true Rogue Prince, restless, energetic, and versatile. Following historical inertia, Oberyn would have traveled the nine Free Cities, where he learned much about poisons and perhaps other dark tricks; he studied at the Citadel, forging six links of a maester's chain before growing bored and dropping out; he served as a mercenary in the Disputed Lands across the Narrow Sea, initially with the Second Sons, and later forming his own company.
"And I must also thank your generosity, Prince! If you hadn't cleared out the pirates and bandits of the Three Cities, there would still be many pirates on the sea preying on respectable people like me! It wouldn't be so easy for Dornishmen to travel the Eastern Continent!" Oberyn said with a smile, looking at every plant and stone in Ghoyan Drohe, feeling a strange emotion in his heart. This was not the yellow sand and scorching sun of Dorne, but one of the places where his maternal ancestors once lived. Rhaegar, after all, had a dragon, soaring through the clouds, making travel between nations easy. But Oberyn relied entirely on horses, ships, and his own feet. Given the difficulty, Oberyn was truly a lover of adventure.
Ghoyan Drohe was not large, located near the Little Rhoyne River, but it was no longer beautiful or outstanding; the greenery, prosperity, canals, and fountains were all ruined. However, Rhaegar had used his dragon's flame to burn dry the stagnant water in the fountain pools. The ruins and rubble had been reorganized, and the small town was beginning to show signs of life. The original inhabitants and escaped slaves began erecting temporary homes, and the scale of the vegetable plots grew larger. Although Ghoyan Drohe was still somewhat desolate, it finally had new life.
In the town, there were not only the original inhabitants of Ghoyan Drohe but also occasional escaped slaves. Smiles finally appeared on the slaves' faces. They gathered here, worshipping Rhaegar when they saw him, shouting, "Dragonlord!" "The Liberator!" "The Breaker of Chains!" At first, it was one person calling out, then a group, hundreds of people, hundreds of voices surrounding Rhaegar, kneeling at his feet.
"Stand up! Just focus on your own work!" Rhaegar said to the townspeople. The danger of invasion by the khals must be considered.
Oberyn watched the scene curiously. "History truly is a cycle. Back then, the Dragonlords destroyed the Rhoynar people and the Rhoyne River Civilization. And now, we must place our hope in a Dragonlord again to restore the Rhoyne River's glory!"
"Life is like a play, constantly changing, Prince." Rhaegar said to Oberyn after greeting the original inhabitants and slaves.
"Prince, what do you think of my renovation project?" Rhaegar looked at Oberyn, pointing to his town. Although still somewhat desolate, it was no longer as dilapidated as before. If black bricks were used, and with these hardworking inhabitants, it would soon change dramatically.
"Prince, are you really going to build a city here? If you do this, you will offend three powers simultaneously! By recruiting runaway slaves, you offend the slave traders. By building a city here, you offend the Dothraki khals who come here to make a living and demand tribute. Not to mention the Sea Lord, who is already deeply suspicious." Oberyn asked. He was full of doubts. Crossing borders to plan for the distant future was extremely difficult, as this piece of land was located at the intersection of several major spheres of influence, making it easy to be targeted. However, based on the Red Viper's understanding of Rhaegar, Rhaegar, though fierce and fearless on the battlefield, also possessed cunning and rationality, which is why he was consistently victorious and wouldn't engage in such a losing venture. A general's occasional victory is luck; long-term victory is the result of wisdom, courage, luck, and calculation.
"The people of Pentos are gutless and won't interfere with us. Although the people of Braavos have intentions, their actions are slow, and they will also consider using others to kill. As for the slave traders, the slaves who escaped here are already freemen, so what concern is that of mine? The only ones we truly need to consider are the mad khals, because this city certainly blocks part of their path!" Rhaegar analyzed for the Red Viper.
"I am not unprepared! The Dothraki have poor siege capabilities, and I have prepared something for them!" Rhaegar pointed out the stacked large black bricks he had prepared for Oberyn, which could certainly be used to build a black city. The black city was the first step; he could easily build a fortress directly out of dragonglass, but that would be too big a target and too conspicuous. It was better to proceed slowly; the town was being developed based on the layout of a military camp.
"A truly dangerous game!" Oberyn said. This move was earth-shattering and certainly no ordinary feat.
"The warriors of Dorne are countless as the sands, but only this man is the greatest under heaven! Is Prince Oberyn afraid of the khals?" Rhaegar Targaryen said to Oberyn, with a hint of mockery in his tone. Although this was a boast of the Dornishmen, Oberyn was indeed popular and deeply loved among the Dornishmen. Compared to the silent and solitary Doran, people considered the Red Viper to be more like a passionate and wild Dornishman.
Aside from his competence, one of Oberyn's strengths was his focus on kinship. For example, with his popularity and followers, he had the opportunity to covet Doran's position, but he did not. This might also be related to the Dornish way of life; the population was already small, and internal conflict would only further weaken their strength. Although Oberyn was sometimes unconventional, his affection for his relatives and his care for his bastard daughters showed that he was, after all, a man of feeling.
"That saying is outdated now!" Oberyn replied unhurriedly, not angered. "Now the saying goes: The warriors of the Seven Kingdoms are countless as the sands, but only the True Dragon is the greatest under heaven! The vast region from the Wall to the Stepstones praises you many times more than me."
"In the past, during the Dance of the Dragons, we Dornishmen would rather dance with scorpions than dance with dragons. But today, I am willing to try!" Oberyn changed the subject, partly because Dorne and the Iron Throne had reconciled, making them relatively close relatives after all.
"The honor is mine!" Rhaegar said to Oberyn. This was the game of thrones. Rhaegar needed this land to expand his influence on the Eastern Continent and let the water magic rage. Oberyn also needed an opportunity. Oberyn considered the possibility of success, enhancing the strength of House Martell. If he could recruit remnants or exiled slaves on the Rhoyne River again, this population would be enough to suppress the chattering great lords of Dorne. The nobles of Dorne were very loosely organized, mainly due to Dorne's terrain and small population. House Martell did not have an overwhelming advantage, appearing fragmented. House Martell was not short on money, but in the game of thrones, they needed more money and manpower to subdue their opponents.
"Money, honor, and land—I am fiercely eager to acquire them all. I hope Prince Rhaegar will not disappoint me!" Oberyn's eyes burned brightly. This was an excellent collaboration, and Oberyn was anticipating the opportunity. Rhaegar was a fast ship, and sailing smoothly alongside him might also be an opportunity for Dorne.
"Rest assured! Land is hard to promise, but I won't disappoint you regarding money and honor," Rhaegar replied to Oberyn. He knew a little about the situation in Dorne, but Oberyn certainly knew it better; the powerful secondary lords held deep sway and were not truly respectful, especially House Yronwood.
"Then let the dragon's banner and the banner of the sun speared through fly here!" Rhaegar's heroic spirit flowed within his chest.
"I hope this is a pleasant cooperation!" Oberyn echoed.
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