Among the Nine Free Cities, Braavos stood apart from all the others.
Built upon a chain of islands at the northwestern edge of Essos, it sat where the Narrow Sea met the Shivering Sea. The coastline stretching southward was known as the Braavosi Coast, a testament to the city's influence and sovereignty.
Unlike the other Free Cities, Braavos had neither king nor prince.
Instead, it was ruled by the Sealord.
Chosen through a mysterious and highly complex process conducted by the city's scholars and influential officials, the Sealord served for life.
Braavos also differed greatly from its neighbors in another way.
It had never been part of the Valyrian Freehold.
Nearly five hundred years before Aegon's Conquest, it was founded by escaped slaves fleeing Valyrian oppression.
According to legend, slaves rowing aboard a Valyrian fleet rose in rebellion and seized their ships.
Unable to challenge Valyria's dragons, they instead fled as far from the Freehold as possible.
Guided by the Moon Singers, they crossed the Narrow Sea and eventually settled in a hidden lagoon often shrouded in mist.
Those refugees came from every corner of the known world.
There were Andals, Summer Islanders, Ghiscari, Naathi, Ibbenese, Saloori, and even indebted or disgraced Valyrians.
Among them were slave soldiers, servants, cooks, stable boys, stewards, craftsmen, blacksmiths, masons, fishermen, and laborers.
Together, they built Braavos.
More than half a year ago, this city founded by refugees welcomed another group of exiles.
The Lannisters.
---
Inside the headquarters of the Iron Bank of Braavos, a tense negotiation was underway.
"Braavos does not involve itself in the politics or wars of Westeros."
"Our previous dealings with your family were merely business."
"And now that business has failed, the Iron Bank cannot continue paying for your mistakes."
Tycho Nestoris sat upright at the head of the long table.
His expression was cold.
His voice was even colder.
Before Gina Lannister could respond, another voice joined in.
"Based on our assessment, further investment in House Lannister offers no reasonable chance of profit."
Nahho Dimitris folded his hands and looked at her with open disdain.
"Furthermore, Lady Gina, your previous failures have exhausted nearly everything of value you could offer as collateral."
His finger tapped lightly against the tabletop.
"And I should remind you that over a century ago, Tyland Lannister's private lending activities damaged relations between the Iron Throne and the Iron Bank."
"Your family's credit history has never fully recovered."
"Therefore, your application is rejected."
"The Iron Bank will also seek repayment of all outstanding losses resulting from your recent failures."
"The Iron Bank does not tolerate unpaid debts."
The negotiations had barely begun, yet the pressure was already overwhelming.
Tycho and Nahho clearly intended to seize control of the discussion immediately.
Yet Gina Lannister remained completely calm.
In fact, she barely paid attention to them at all.
Instead, her eyes remained fixed on the man seated between them.
The real decision-maker.
---
The man appeared to be in his fifties.
Sparse gray hair surrounded an otherwise bald head.
His clothing was simple, almost plain.
Only the ornate key hanging from a golden chain around his neck hinted at his status.
A Keyholder of the Iron Bank.
One of the descendants of the Bank's twenty-three founders.
One of the few individuals authorized to open the vast underground vaults.
His name was Bessaro Reaon.
The enormously overweight man occupied a chair nearly three times larger than those of the other negotiators.
Throughout the discussion, he had remained silent.
Yet his silence spoke volumes.
Tycho and Nahho were merely setting the stage.
Everyone in the room understood that.
If the Iron Bank truly intended to reject House Lannister outright, this meeting would never have happened.
Gina understood that perfectly.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Yes, we lost the war."
"We don't deny that."
"But we haven't lost everything."
"Unlike the Baratheons, House Lannister understands money."
"And that understanding is precisely why we're sitting here today."
Bessaro finally lifted his eyes.
"Sitting here does not mean we are obligated to clean up your mess."
His tone carried obvious impatience.
"I am a busy man."
"I still intend to attend a performance at the House of Red Hands later today."
"I hear Fario Forel has written a new play."
"Let's stop wasting time."
Unlike Tycho and Nahho, Bessaro had no interest in negotiation games.
He preferred simple facts.
Lay everything on the table.
Then decide.
---
Gina immediately understood.
Straightening her posture, she became serious.
"Our previous offer remains unchanged."
"In addition, House Lannister is prepared to guarantee something new."
"If we succeed, every territory conquered and occupied by Iron Bank forces during the war will become your lawful possession."
"King Lannister will formally recognize your ownership of those lands."
"In return, you will recognize our rule."
The room fell silent.
Tycho and Nahho exchanged surprised glances.
Even they hadn't expected such a generous concession.
Bessaro remained expressionless.
"The frozen lands of northern Westeros hold little value to us."
"And promises written on paper are worth even less."
"Do you believe your own words?"
Gina smiled.
"Permanent land ownership."
"Generational wealth."
"The right to collect taxes and profits for centuries."
"Surely that interests you."
"How you manage those lands is your concern."
"We only care about the result."
Bessaro shook his head.
"We see no realistic path to victory."
"From our perspective, this remains a likely bad debt."
"The Iron Bank cannot accept that risk."
---
Gina narrowed her eyes.
Something still wasn't right.
The Iron Bank should have been interested.
Yet Bessaro continued refusing.
What exactly did he want?
She changed tactics.
"If our chances were truly hopeless, why would I be sitting here at all?"
Reaching into her coat, she withdrew a sealed letter.
She placed it on the table and pushed it forward.
"We have more allies than just the Iron Bank."
The three bankers lowered their eyes.
The seal displayed a golden kraken upon a black field.
For the first time, their expressions changed.
House Greyjoy.
Gina continued.
"My brother has already begun his campaign."
"He captured Last Hearth from House Umber."
"He now commands several thousand soldiers."
"He intends to move southwest and force House Stark to divide its attention."
"Most northern lords will be tied down."
"That creates the perfect opportunity for our allies to act."
"They will bring a powerful fleet and experienced warriors."
"And unlike hired sellswords, they have their own goals to pursue."
"They cannot afford to betray us."
"Furthermore, House Bolton has already joined our cause."
Now Gina had revealed everything.
Every alliance.
Every plan.
Every card in House Lannister's hand.
She sat back confidently.
Without the Iron Bank, victory remained possible.
With the Iron Bank, however, victory became likely.
That was why she had come to Braavos.
---
The room fell silent.
Bessaro slowly reached for the letter.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Several minutes passed before he finally set it aside.
Then he folded his hands atop the table.
For the first time, genuine interest appeared in his eyes.
"The Iron Throne still owes us money."
"They have not defaulted."
"If we support you, who compensates us for that loss?"
"And more importantly..."
"We require a justification."
Gina felt a wave of relief.
At last.
The real negotiation had begun.
A smile spread across her face.
"House Lannister will assume responsibility for all current debts owed to the Iron Bank."
"The moment we claim the Iron Throne."
"Furthermore, half of the royal treasury will be deposited with the Iron Bank for safekeeping."
Tycho and Nahho exchanged another glance.
The offer was substantial.
But Gina wasn't finished.
"As for your reputation..."
"I believe this is the perfect opportunity to collect your debts."
"If you recover Robert Baratheon's debt now, every additional gold dragon becomes pure profit."
"House Lannister will honor every coin owed."
The room fell quiet once more.
This time, however, the atmosphere had changed.
The Iron Bank was no longer rejecting the proposal.
Now it was calculating profits.
---
Bessaro smiled.
It was the first genuine smile he had shown all day.
Yet instead of discussing debts or territory, his eyes drifted toward the kraken-sealed letter.
Then he suddenly asked:
"I've heard King Karl Baratheon hatched a dragon."
Gina blinked.
The question had caught her off guard.
Bessaro leaned forward.
"House Lannister will receive another interest-free loan."
"We will also forgive a significant portion of your current debt."
His smile widened.
"But only under one condition."
The room became deathly silent.
The Keyholder's eyes gleamed like gold.
"You will ensure that the Iron Bank gains actual ownership of that dragon."
"Not influence."
"Not access."
"Ownership."
"That is our price."
At that moment, Gina finally understood.
The Iron Bank had never been interested in land.
Nor debts.
Nor even political influence.
What they truly desired...
Was a dragon.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)