Chapter 105: The Dragon Reappears in the Stepstones
Three dragons circled above Maidenpool.
The Silver Dragon, the Purple Dragon, and the Black Dragon—everyone knew these were Prince Rhaegar's dragons, the only three remaining in the entire world.
The Silver Emperor, the Purple Sovereign, and the Black Tyrant.
The Dragon spread its wings and soared, its huge leathery wings and black shadow inspiring awe.
Everyone in Maidenpool believed that Prince Rhaegar would gain even greater glory, as both the Prince and his dragons were growing rapidly. They had not forgotten Prince Rhaegar's decisive action and slaughter during the Turmoil of Maidenpool; the Prince possessed the blood of a true dragon.
After bidding farewell to Ser Mace Tyrell and Prince Lewyn Martell, Rhaegar received a new guest: a secret envoy from Tyrosh.
Tyrosh is an island city located north of the Stepstones, one of the three Free Cities once joined in the Kingdom of the Three Daughters alongside Lys and Myr. It is the closest of those city-states affected by the current pirate uprising in the Stepstones. Lys and Myr lie slightly farther away.
The complex and chaotic warfare had greatly impacted Tyroshi trade. In particular, relations between Tyrosh and Lys were extremely poor. After the collapse of the Kingdom of the Three Daughters, the Daughters turned to bite one another, leaving only hatred and fury.
The Archon of Tyrosh was still hesitant and undecided about whether to fight or seek peace, but he was very proactive in contacting Rhaegar privately.
In the reception hall of Maidenpool's keep, the Tyroshi envoy gracefully arrived, clad in a grey hooded cloak. However, judging by the graceful figure and scent, it appeared to be a girl.
The envoy removed the hood, and Rhaegar saw the familiar long blue-green hair and bright eyes.
"It's you, Miss Shireen." Rhaegar was slightly surprised, having not expected the envoy traveling all this way to be the Archon's daughter, the Pearl of Tyrosh, Shireen.
"Prince, you are a few years younger than I am, yet you are already fighting for the honor of the Iron Throne. Naturally, I can also attend as the envoy of Tyrosh, Prince Rhaegar," Shireen said with a smile. Her striking blue-green hair, beautiful blue eyes, and her cleverness made her appear graceful and exceptionally intelligent. Most importantly, she had a magnificent figure.
Beautiful girls are like floods and fierce beasts, and Miss Shireen might be counted among the fiercest.
"Does my perfume smell nice, Prince? You know we in Tyrosh are famous for pear brandy, and my perfume is also pear-scented," Shireen said with a laugh. Her smile, like Tyroshi brandy, was easy to get lost in. Her skin was snow-white, her eyes a beautiful blue, and her blue-green hair carried a sense of playfulness, sweetness, and exoticism.
"Then let us get straight to the terms." Rhaegar did not want to get too close to Shireen; the pear scent was too intoxicating. The Tyroshi maiden, appearing as if from the heavens, carried a wild allure.
"Prince Rhaegar, you are truly boring. I feel like a ship crashing against a stiff rock. Has coldness become your armor since you became a soldier and a knight? You should think of your ancestor, King Aegon IV Targaryen, whom some called Aegon the Unworthy; he was a king born for pleasure, and everyone says he had at least nine hundred women," Shireen said with a smile. Her gaze was gentle, her accent captivating, and her scent intoxicating.
"And then he contracted a venereal disease and died with his body covered in sores!" Rhaegar retorted. Aegon IV left the realm nothing but hatred and the seeds of the Blackfyre rebellions.
"Well, responding to a beautiful lady like that is very ungentlemanly, especially since I am an envoy from afar. Prince, you carry too many burdens, unlike my father, who is ignited by desire and ambition, pursuing fame and achievement. I won't tease you anymore; let's get straight to the terms." Miss Shireen dropped her beautiful facade, adopting the common cunning and pragmatism of a merchant of the Free Cities.
"I need warships from Tyrosh to reinforce the Stepstones," Rhaegar said.
"That is too dangerous. Although the Lyseni exiles failed in their election and fled wretchedly to the Stepstones, many of their relatives and connections are still hidden in Lys. If we directly deploy warships to help you, that means making enemies of Lys and Myr. The Lysene currently ignore those exiles, and the Magisters of Lys might even wish them a painful death. But if Tyrosh gets involved, the Lyseni will no longer be so indifferent. They hate those exiles, but they hate us even more," Shireen analyzed.
"This is a win-win, Miss Shireen. Please convey this to your Archon father. Both Tyrosh and Westeros need to secure their sea lanes and clear out the pirates and Lysene exiles from the Stepstones. The Iron Throne needs honor and strength, and Tyrosh needs prosperity. Piracy is rampant, and trade is severely affected. Westeros still has agriculture to fall back on, but Tyrosh depends far more on commerce. It would not benefit Tyrosh if the Stepstones fell entirely under Lysene influence," Rhaegar stated emphatically.
"You not only sound like a warrior but also like a merchant; I enjoy bargaining with you. Tyrosh is a commercial city, where merchants are considered a more honorable profession than warriors. However, we will not provide warships, nor will we provide soldiers. You know our strength relies heavily on slaves and sellswords," Shireen said.
"If not warships, then large merchant vessels will suffice," Rhaegar replied. Miss Shireen's red line was Tyroshi warships, but merchant ships could transport troops. His greatest trump card remained the Demon Dragon.
"That is a workable proposal. We can discuss the price; this is business," Shireen said.
Rhaegar began negotiating the terms. Since it was wartime, selling warships was unacceptable, but leasing merchant vessels was feasible.
"We can lease two large merchant ships to you at slightly above market rate. The duration and cost will depend on how quickly your campaign ends. The faster you end the war, the lower the total payment," Shireen said.
"Agreed," Rhaegar replied. With the ships secured, he could assign crews from King's Landing and Dragonstone.
The two continued refining the terms. The sailors would not be officially Tyroshi personnel, but Shireen agreed to issue a private authorization on behalf of the Archon facilitating recruitment.
It was a careful arrangement: Tyrosh avoided direct war, yet still aided Westeros.
"Miss Shireen, you truly are an excellent envoy and merchant," Rhaegar said.
"And you are not some sugared prince. You are steel, fire, and a fox," Shireen replied with a sweet smile.
"To our successful negotiation."
"To business."
They raised their cups.
Rhaegar could not deny that Shireen's beauty and charm were striking. Her flirtation was deliberate; her insight was sharp.
"What is it? Thinking of your betrothed?" Shireen asked teasingly.
Rhaegar did not answer.
"She may be a rose, but I am a flame," Shireen murmured, voice rich with suggestion.
Rhaegar kept his composure.
"If only I were a man, my father would not bear so many burdens. The politics of Tyrosh are brutal," she added quietly.
Rhaegar understood. The rivalries between Tyrosh, Lys, Myr, and Volantis were no less treacherous than the intrigues of King's Landing. The downfall of House Rogare of Lys was proof of how swiftly fortune could turn.
"Perhaps one day I shall ride your silver dragon," Shireen said boldly.
"If you admire the dragon, you need not admire its rider," Rhaegar replied evenly.
As she departed, she suddenly embraced him and brushed her lips lightly against his.
The kiss was swift and unexpected.
Too many dangerous women in this world, Rhaegar thought.
Some time later, the broad-bellied Tyroshi merchant ships set sail toward the Stepstones.
High above, the Demon Dragon wheeled through the sky.
Rhaegar raised a flame in his palm, invoking Fire Sight to search the sea for enemy movements. Dragon was about to reappear in the Stepstones.
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