The news that House Targaryen had hatched dragons once again exploded across the Free Cities.
On the very first day, the news reached nearby Pentos.
By the third day, even distant Volantis had received word.
Within a week, merchants from Slaver's Bay who had witnessed the event firsthand were racing home to spread the news.
And before long, the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros would learn of it as well.
"When that happens, the scene will probably be rather amusing.
Some lords will receive news of Viserys's death one day, only to receive reports the next that not only has he come back to life, but he has also hatched dragons."
Oberyn wandered through the city with his eldest daughter, Obara.
To celebrate Viserys's resurrection and House Targaryen's return to dragonlord status, the streets of Gohor had been swept spotless.
Some taverns had even hung signs announcing free drinks.
After all, Viserys had personally exempted half of this year's taxes.
"Father, I think the Targaryen dragons are growing incredibly fast. At the funeral they were only about the size of geese.
It's only been a few days, but it feels like they've grown at least a foot longer."
Since she had escorted Arianne here, Obara had remained in Gohor as well.
"You've never seen Balerion's skull. I have. That thing could swallow an entire wagon in one bite."
Oberyn pointed at a passing wagon by the roadside.
"With dragons again, reclaiming the Iron Throne will be even easier for House Targaryen.
I heard Robert stationed fifty or sixty thousand troops in King's Landing a few months ago. Even if he doubled that number now, it probably wouldn't matter."
"So when will the Targaryens reclaim the Iron Throne?" Obara asked. "Do they need the dragons to grow larger first?"
"Not really."
Oberyn smiled.
"The dragons will grow eventually. If the lords of Westeros don't want to end up like Harren the Black, they should hurry up and abandon the Baratheons."
At that moment, Oberyn suddenly stopped and pointed toward an inn displaying a sign that read Free Drinks.
"Do you know why Viserys reduced all taxes by half this year?
The missing half will be repaid many times over by the other Free Cities.
And before long, even the nobles of Westeros will probably be looking for ways to send money to our Dragon King."
There was no need to mention Pentos.
It was practically a Targaryen puppet state already.
If Viserys nodded his approval, Audro would likely present him with a prince's crown on the spot.
As for Braavos and Volantis, they certainly possessed weapons capable of dealing with dragons.
Viserys's dragons were still young and not yet a true threat.
The anti-dragon weapons those cities possessed were probably old and in need of repair as well.
But dragons were valuable not merely because of their destructive power.
They were symbols.
And they possessed unmatched mobility.
Throughout dragon history, the side with dragons had almost never lost.
When one army had dragons and the other did not, morale was already shattered before the battle began.
Dragons could scout. They could destroy supply lines. They could launch night raids.
Their advantages were endless.
A single mature dragon was worth ten thousand soldiers.
And the cost of feeding a dragon was far lower than maintaining an army of ten thousand men.
Viserys would not even need to conquer cities directly.
He could conquer hearts.
Even if the Free Cities possessed methods to kill dragons, when the Dragon King descended upon them, they would still have no choice but to bow their heads.
That was the power of a Dragon King.
On the second day after his resurrection, the first person Viserys received was Malaqo.
The first time Viserys had visited Volantis, Malaqo had not regarded House Targaryen as worth noticing.
Using the excuse that "a Triarch's body must never touch dirt during his term," he had remained atop an elephant and looked down upon Viserys from above.
Back then, Viserys had even been forced to flatter him with phrases such as:
"When in Volantis, one should do as the Volantenes do."
Now he had dragons.
Even if they were only hatchlings, they were enough for him to reclaim some dignity.
"Lord Malaqo, I am pleased that you attended my funeral," Viserys said from his throne.
"But during the Battle of the Mother of Mountains, your army deliberately dragged its feet and delayed the battle. That displeases me."
Viserys's voice echoed throughout the throne hall.
Malaqo felt utterly humiliated.
He was practically one step away from kneeling before Viserys.
Yet Viserys refused to let the matter go, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Viserys had nearly crushed every khal among the Dothraki. The remaining Dothraki would soon become Targaryen vassals.
If utilized properly, no power in the Free Cities could stop him.
And then there were those three damned dragons.
"Your Majesty," Malaqo said through gritted teeth, "please tell me how Volantis may make amends."
"Make amends? Easy enough."
Viserys smiled.
Speaking with intelligent people was always convenient.
"Because of your actions, many of my soldiers died when they did not need to. Surely compensation is appropriate?"
"Of course. Of course," Malaqo replied immediately.
"And because of your actions, I myself died when I should not have. You caused a king to die once.
What do you think a king's life is worth? I trust you'll provide me with a satisfactory figure."
"Certainly. Certainly. Volantis will present treasures equal in weight to Your Majesty."
Viserys nodded in satisfaction before continuing.
"I also happen to like your collection, [The Complete History of Valyria]. I'd like to borrow it."
"No problem, Your Majesty. No problem at all."
Malaqo understood perfectly well.
That book collection was never coming back.
If Viserys eventually returned a copied version, Volantis would probably have to praise the Dragon King's generosity.
"Additionally," Viserys continued, "as the eldest daughter of Valyria, Volantis must have preserved some dragon eggs, yes?"
After hatching three dragon eggs, Viserys still possessed the three fossilized eggs that had originally come from Braavos.
But there were still four children in the royal family.
One missing egg would make things awkward.
Although Viserys had hatched three dragons at once, maintaining absolute authority and preventing future division meant those dragons could only be inherited by his own children.
More importantly, because of the Sacred Child Essence, the dragons acknowledged only Viserys himself.
Obtaining another dragon egg was therefore extremely important.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty," Malaqo said immediately. "Within one month, I will present a dragon egg to you."
"Good."
Viserys nodded.
"Lord Malaqo, I rather like you. We've known each other for several years now.
Which is why I've decided to help you with something.
As I understand it, the Triarchs of Volantis have never been particularly fond of Benerro and his followers. Am I correct?"
Benerro controlled the Temple of the Lord of Light in Volantis.
Through religious influence, he amassed wealth and purchased loyalty on a massive scale.
Most importantly—He paid no taxes.
The Triarchs of Volantis had long wanted to eliminate him.
Unfortunately, worship of the Red God was widespread throughout the city.
Even among Volantis's famed Tiger Cloaks, nearly half were followers of R'hllor.
Viserys had decided to lend Malaqo a helping hand.
The River Elder had said that R'hllor appeared to have fallen dormant. In that case, Viserys intended to use this opportunity.
While the god slept, he would destroy every one of his temples.
___________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/BloodAncestor