On the eastern side of the middle Upper Rhoyne River, the grayish-brown Viserysgrad stood like a majestic beast, overlooking all directions from atop the hills.
Banners of a red dragon on a black field fluttered throughout the castle, the fire-breathing dragon lifelike with its three heads.
Even from the foot of the mountain, it was clear that the grayish-brown castle had a double-walled structure, and there were stairs leading to the summit.
The procession below Viserysgrad was now a river of iron, gold, silver, and common clothes, with people flowing ceaselessly.
Besides the soldiers Viserys had taken from the castle returning home, the largest group he brought back this time were Andals from west of the Upper Rhoyne River who had come to him with their families.
The newly arrived Andal tribes felt like country folk entering a city; since their decline, the Andals had gathered in villages rather than towns and castles.
The booming sound of war horns and drums announced the King's return.
Viserys removed his fierce dragon-winged helmet, revealing a handsome and resolute face.
Though still youthful, it had already weathered many battles.
Syrio, Rhaenys, and Daenerys welcomed Viserys's return.
Viserys saw Rhaenys and Daenerys, their figures like mirror images, dressed identically.
They wore black velvet gowns, and the cloaks fluttering behind them were embroidered with Targaryen Family's three-headed fire-breathing dragon.
However, the two girls differed in height, one tall and one short, one older and one younger, and their appearances were also distinct.
Rhaenys had the appearance of a Dornish salt-person: smooth olive skin, black hair, and dark eyes. Daenerys, on the other hand, had the traditional Targaryen appearance.
"We welcome you, your majesty the king Viserys III of Targaryen Family," Rhaenys said after bowing. This was a solemn occasion, not a time for playfully calling Viserys 'uncle'.
Rhaenys looked at the new tribes accompanying Viserys back; this could be described as a large contingent of tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed Andal tribes.
There were not only white-haired Andal elders, devout and rough barefooted monks, warriors with seven-pointed stars painted on their faces and chests, but also old people and children of the Andals.
"Thank you all. This time, I crossed the Upper Rhoyne River, killed the greedy Tyroshi slavers, and brought back new subjects," Viserys said to Syrio and the others.
"We are grateful for your acceptance; it is a great honor to serve the King," Syrio also said.
Syrio also had to marvel that Viserys indeed possessed a magical charm, and his ability to seize opportunities for development and his foresight were extraordinary.
Just going out for a while, he had brought back many more people.
"These are the two princesses of Targaryen Family: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and Princess Daenerys Targaryen."
"This is my swordmaster, Syrio." Viserys introduced the personnel of Viserysgrad to the Andal elders and cavalry who followed him.
"Greetings, two princesses; greetings, Lord Syrio," the Andal elders also cooperated, bowing slightly.
"These are the village elders from the west of the Andalos River who followed me back; they will all be members of the Secret Council in the future. This is my guard, Argus Blackwood." Viserys then introduced the identities of the various Andal elders and his new guard.
"Your Highnesses, I am the King's new guard, Argus Blackwood. I am willing to fight for the King under the seven-pointed star banner," Argos said in a gruff voice, his burly figure contrasting with his tone.
Daenerys had never seen such a giant before, like a small mountain.
Syrio also scrutinized Argos; such a physique certainly had no relation to high agility.
However, on the battlefield, sheer strength could overcome many opponents, and clad in plate armor, he would be a raging behemoth.
"These children are newly arrived Squires; the girls will be your handmaidens, for a princess cannot be without companions," Viserys introduced to Rhaenys and Daenerys.
The younger Andal children were a bit reserved, like small beasts, but they were still pushed forward by their parents, as being involved in the court would certainly elevate their status.
"That's wonderful!" Rhaenys smiled happily.
Viserys relied on the Andal faith of the Seven, the structure of the new army, and the training of Squires to thoroughly secure his base.
The greetings and introductions were merely a ceremonial part; there was more important resettlement work to be done.
"Ser Roland, will you handle the distribution?"
"Yes, your majesty the king."
Viserys had already made plans; a temporary town and dock would be built below Viserysgrad, much like Winterfell's Winter Town or the villages below Riverrun Castle.
Ordinary people could choose to live at the foot of the mountain, but they also had the autonomy to move into the castle.
After all, if war came, the castle would certainly be the safest structure.
This was similar to the structure of King's Landing, with the fortress at the top and the populace on the flat ground below the hills.
"Many hands make light work," Viserys swept his gaze over the newly sworn people. As long as he had enough manpower and mules, Viserys planned to retrieve the giant stone circles by the lake in the Velvet Hills.
The people were being settled in an orderly manner. The Andal elders of the Secret Council would certainly be moved into the city, along with the selected knights and Squires and their families, which was already a large group of people.
However, a corresponding portion of people chose to first live in temporary wooden houses or tents below Viserysgrad.
For a time, Viserysgrad once again became a bustling construction site.
Many Andal elders assisted the people of their villages with resettlement.
As King, Viserys, after a long period of busyness, finally had time to look at the gifts the Andal villages had presented to him.
These gifts were all sent to the King's military tent inside Viserysgrad.
Viserys carefully examined them: an amber necklace, a broken golden dagger, gem-encrusted silver brooches, bracelets, rings, beautiful silver-scaled mail, a short sword inlaid with three rubies, freshwater pearl necklaces, and so on.
These items were considered some of the few good things the Andals possessed.
"These are all material wealth, but unfortunately, none of what I desire," Viserys thought.
There was also a woven tapestry, ancient in style, dusty, and faded in color, but very beautiful, occupying half the floor of the great hall.
After the servants cleaned the tapestry, it was restored to its original state.
Viserys looked at the images on the tapestry, which primarily depicted Andal legends.
The Father himself plucked seven stars, forged them into a crown, and crowned Hugo, the first King of the Andals. The Maiden brought a beautiful lady, and Hugo took her as his wife.
The Mother made her fertile and prolific. The Crone prophesied she would bear Hugo forty-four strong sons. The Warrior made them strong and robust. The Smith forged a suit of steel armor for each of them.
"This tapestry is quite good; it can be hung in the council chamber," Viserys remarked.
As Viserys looked at other items, he finally discovered a gift that piqued his interest.
A pure white, jade-like fish skeleton artwork, the fish bones arranged into a perfect, lifelike skeletal fish.
Viserys looked at this large fish skull. According to the Andal elders, they had caught a large green fish from the Upper Rhoyne River, and this fish had almost caused another conflict with the rhoynar.
However, they killed it quickly, so they pretended not to know.
"This kind of fish bone, a gift from the Rhoyne River?" Viserys carefully wiped the fish bone, broke off a small piece, and then began to absorb its power.
["Fate Defier" Viserys Targaryen has consumed the enchanted item "river god's bone", rewarding a one-time increase in basic attributes, Strength improved →, Agility improved →]
Viserys looked at the fish bone in his hand; although its effect was inferior to dragon bone, it seemed, it seemed to be an enchanted item as well.
The so-called river god was, at best, a large fish that had most likely received some blessing from the Rhoyne River.
Legends say there are many deities beneath the Mother Rhoyne River, the most famous being the giant turtle, the Old Man of the River. He is the son of the Mother Rhoyne River, and he defeated the "Crab King" to gain dominion over the underwater inhabitants.
These fish, crabs, and turtles merely gained some affinity for water elements over time, rather than being the true will of the Rhoyne River.
"No dragon bone, so this will do as a substitute for now." Viserys looked at the fish skeleton, a perfect replacement meal.