Game of Thrones: The Wrath of the Sleeping Dragon

However, it was impossible for Pentos to keep such a large number of cavalrymen a secret from everyone.

That would be tantamount to openly intercepting Viserys, violating the rights of a guest—a sin that even the gods could not forgive—and would also ruin the reputation of the Pentos.

However, if the Dothraki were to be commissioned to do this, there wouldn't be enough time now. There are no Khal Drogos active nearby, and even if a Khal Drogo wanted to go west, it would be intercepted by the First Legion of Andalus stationed at Goldoho.

Pentos dared not openly attack him.

Therefore, Viserys dared to enter the city in a grand manner, not caring at all about the commotion he caused along the way, letting everyone know that he had arrived.

Although he is now in constant danger, just like the 'merchant' who toasted him during the day, Viserys is not flustered; on the contrary, he remains unusually calm.

He knew that the bigger the commotion he made, and the more people knew he was coming, the more cautious the governors of Pentos would be, and the less likely they would dare to act rashly.

The more obstacles they create for the governors of Pentos, the more openings they will have to exploit. For the governors of Pentos, the festival celebrations to be held in the Prince's Palace in three days will be their best opportunity.

Because at that time Viserys entered the palace and closed the doors, no one outside knew what would happen inside.

At that time, whether Viserys died "accidentally" or committed some crime and was detained by Pentos for violating the rights of a guest, it all depended on the governors' word.

Although no one would believe such a lame excuse, it is at least theoretically plausible.

Upon seeing Viserys enter the courtyard, the surveillance agents nervously reported to their master.

The servant, who was clearly from the prince's palace, boarded the carriage and left without any hesitation.

Viserys stood on the platform of the highest floor of the mansion, holding onto the wooden railing, looking down at the undisguised eyes and ears watching them.

And at this time.

He heard footsteps behind him.

A fiery red figure, draped in a long robe, appeared behind Viserys.

She looked behind Viserys, then parted her red lips and spoke.

"The task you assigned has already begun."

Viserys leaned on the railing, his pale purple eyes gazing at the setting sun, its crimson glow filling the sky. A cold wind blew, ruffling the silver-gold hair on his forehead.

The heavy snow that fell last night had stopped long ago, and by afternoon until dusk the clouds had dispersed and the sun was shining, bringing some warmth back to this newly arrived winter.

The sun is about to set again.

The person standing behind Viserys was Melisandre, the Red Priestess, who had also left Andalus and come to Pentos at some point.

However, she did not travel with Viserys, but instead arrived in the city-state quietly through other channels, while secretly completing the tasks Viserys had entrusted to her.

"Ah."

"Well done, Melisandre."

Viserys tilted his head slightly to glance at the thinly dressed Scarlet Witch.

The other woman seemed to truly be protected by R'hllor's divine power, as if she couldn't feel the cold. Viserys was wearing leather armor and animal skins for warmth, but this woman was still wearing a long red robe.

"I saw the guidance of the Lord of Light in the flames."

Melisandre took two steps forward and stood beside Viserys, shoulder to shoulder with the young king, in front of the railing.

Gazing at the distant rosy clouds, the woman's faint fragrance wafted into the boy's sense of smell.

Melisandre then turned her beautiful eyes slightly to Viserys.

“Pentos must belong to the true king.”

Chapter 198 Inspection

the next day.

Outside the city of Pentos.

Several men who looked like hunters were talking to the guards outside the city gate, carrying bows and arrows.

The reason is still that poor governor who died not long ago. Even now, Pentos is still strictly screening mercenaries, caravan guards or hunters who enter the city-state with weapons and armor.

Viserys, who entered the city yesterday, and his guards did not receive such treatment.

"Sir, we are hunters from the surrounding villages."

One of the men, a thin man with a headscarf, patted a stag being carried on horseback and spoke kindly to the guards.

The deer looked like it had been dead for a long time, its blood drained. The hunters wanted to sell it at the market in Pentos to get some food to take home.

The guards of Pentos waved their hands impatiently.

"Get out! Get out! Get out!"

"I've told you several times, people can go in, but throw out all your weapons."

However, the hunters continued to pester the guards, refusing to hand over their weapons.

After all, this is their livelihood, and the area around Pentos isn't exactly peaceful.

After all, Pentos was unable to go out and suppress bandits and robbers. His soldiers were few in number and poorly trained, so he could only entrust the task to mercenaries or large caravans. Small caravans and ordinary farmers and hunters had to fend for themselves.

In such chaotic times, farmers and hunters would always carry a dagger or short sword when they went on long journeys, so that if they encountered bandits, they could at least put up some resistance.

At least that way you can die bravely.

Therefore, the hunters were unwilling to hand over their weapons and clung to the guards, refusing to leave.

And at this time.

Gollum-

A long convoy of cars drove toward the gates of Pentos in the distance, the wheels making a sound as they rolled over the small amount of snow remaining on the ground.

It looks like another large caravan has arrived.

The guards at the gates of Pentos lit up when they saw the caravan arrive; they knew this was another chance to make a fortune.

"Hurry up!"

"Everyone, gather here and give me a thorough check."

Yesterday, after receiving Viserys, the heavily pregnant city gate guard adjusted his crooked helmet and then called his men to hurry up and catch some fish.

Normally, caravans would take the road near the port and rarely come in from the north gate.

Since no caravans came from the direction of the north gate, the 'toll' was naturally much lower.

The family spent so much money bribing them to work in the garrison, naturally to make a fortune. Ordinary families might not have that much savings in several years or even decades.

However, after joining the garrison and following his leader, he lived a life of debauchery, indulging in food, drink, gambling, and prostitution. After deducting the tolls collected from the garrison and the supplies given to the commander-in-chief, the remaining amount was barely enough for the men below to share...

The family's heavy bribery expenses from two years ago have all been recouped, and the rest is pure profit.

Small caravans and middle-class families in Pentos lined up with piles of gold coins, desperately trying to get their good-for-nothing children into the garrison.

It's safe and you can make money, who wouldn't want to come?

Hearing the conversation between the city gate guards, the hunters who had been pestering them exchanged glances and saw the tension in each other's eyes.

Then the tall, thin hunter, who was carrying a deer on horseback, glanced at the mercenaries who were also blocked outside the city gate not far away.

There was a tacit understanding between the two groups, and they nodded to each other.

...

Gollum-

The wheels of the carriages kept making noise, and the long caravan finally arrived at the gates of Pentos.

"stop!"

"Where did you come from, caravan?"

The gatekeeper adjusted his helmet, his armor almost too big to fit on, and then walked over with his round belly sticking out.

The hundred or so guards at the city gate were also drawn to the scene.

The caravan leader was an elderly man with gray hair, who looked to be in his fifties or sixties and dressed plainly.

He rode a tall, gray warhorse, whose coat was matted and seemed to have not been bathed in a long time.

"This is my hometown, sir..."

The old man sat on the dirty horse's back, his voice somewhat deep, speaking in perfect Valyrian.

He gazed at the prosperous and wealthy city behind the city gate, his eyes filled with deep longing.

He had been away from here for half his life, and only today did he dare to return disguised.

"Stop talking nonsense. I'm asking you where you came from and what kind of caravan you are."

The obese gatekeeper naturally understood Valyrian, but his attitude was no longer as apprehensive as it had been when facing Viserys yesterday; he had become extremely impatient.

“I come from Tyrosi, my lord.”

The old man riding on the gray warhorse was not angry; he simply gave the city gate guard a deep look.

He then dismounted and spoke.

“I chartered merchant ships from Telos to sell goods in Braavos, and then purchased some goods from Braavos to bring to Pentos.”

“Pantos is great. Now that I’m here, I’m not planning on leaving.”

The old man's voice was strong and resonant. Although he was old, he still maintained a vigorous spirit, and his eyes were extremely sharp.

The leader of the Pentos city gate guards shrank back slightly, and his previously impatient attitude softened somewhat.

"Bravos".

The Pentosians still harbored deep hostility towards Braavos, and the guard snorted, deliberately drawing out the tone.

What kind of goods do you sell? Are there any contraband items?

"If you have it, take it out now. If I find it... hmph..."

The obese guard deliberately drew out his words, making them sound like a pig grunting.

The tone was threatening and suggestive.

At the same time, he raised his hand and opened the carriage covered with tattered strips of cloth, revealing some spices and even several large chests inside.

"Huh? What is this?"