Game of Thrones: The Wrath of the Sleeping Dragon

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Your personal guard does indeed number four thousand."

This relates to the composition of Andalus' military forces.

The city's current standing force for external combat consists of over four thousand valiant Andal warriors, who are nominally Viserys's personal guard.

The Dragonstone navy was stationed in a remote port, and the traditional Targaryen naval forces were not included in this count.

Excluding the three or four thousand sailors and navy personnel, and further subtracting the more than four thousand valiant Andal warriors, as well as the guards maintaining the basic defenses of Andalus, there were approximately less than two thousand people.

For a city with a population of only 80,000, being able to cobble together an army of nearly 10,000, with a population-to-soldier ratio of eight to one, is already an astonishing figure.

If we don't compare them to nomadic peoples like the Dothraki, they could almost be considered a nation of soldiers.

Viserys now intends to take away four thousand of Andalus's most elite Andal warriors to accompany him to Pentos for their appointment.

"Your Majesty, aren't more than four thousand personal guards a bit too many?"

Illyrio saw that Viserys's expression didn't seem like a joke, and his greasy face immediately scrunched up into a bitter expression.

He understood that Viserys didn't want to believe them.

"Indeed, more than four thousand people is a bit too many."

Viserys stood in front of Illyrio, smacked his lips slightly, and then nodded, speaking in a seemingly casual manner.

"How about I leave over four thousand men outside the city and bring only one hundred knights into the city?"

"Of course!"

When Illyrio heard that Viserys had changed his mind and would only bring one hundred knights into the city, he breathed a slight sigh of relief and immediately agreed.

"Ok?"

However, as soon as he finished speaking, the wealthy merchant governor paused for a moment.

He suddenly felt... had he been tricked?

Viserys's original intention was probably to bring a hundred elite knights into the city, so that even if they encountered danger, they might have some ability to resist. They might even have a chance to escape with the help of the four thousand men outside, instead of being completely captured.

"this..."

"Ok."

Illyrio gave a wry smile; he hadn't expected Viserys to be not only brave but also cunning.

“In that case, Pentos awaits Your Majesty’s arrival.”

...

soon.

Several days have passed.

beep--

As the long, mournful horn sounded, four thousand elite Andal warriors of Andalus broke camp and set up camp.

Rumbling--

Warhorses galloped, banners fluttered, and a forest of spears held high reflected a cold glint in the sunlight.

The soldiers, protecting their king, marched toward Velvet Hill, heading straight for Pentos, the rich pearl of the bay.

Chapter 87 Pentos

Call ~

The sea breeze gently caressed his cheeks and ruffled the hair on the boy's forehead.

The Andalusian army bypassed Velvet Mountain and advanced along the road that the merchants of the coastal cities of Andalus and Pentos had taken.

The army wound its way up the hill, and when they turned around, they could see the boundless sea to their right, with soft sand, a gentle sea breeze, and waves rising and falling.

Surrounded by countless soldiers, Viserys held the reins in one hand, riding a gentle white mare.

Viserys himself had two horses: a stronger and more active warhorse, and a more docile one for daily use, which was the one he was currently riding.

The young king rode a white horse, wearing a clean and tidy leather armor, with a longsword at his waist, a snow-white fur shawl, and a black cloak with gold trim embroidered with the emblem of a three-headed Targaryen dragon hanging down his back. His long silver-gold hair was spread out on the cloak.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh…

The army continued its march, the chaotic hooves of horses clattering on the ground.

And the giant city that was vaguely visible in front of them was getting closer and closer.

"Pentos is almost here, Your Majesty."

The wealthy governor of Braavos, riding in a carriage, lifted the curtain and spoke to the young king riding beside him.

It wasn't that Illyrio was being rude, but rather that riding a horse was indeed a torment for his physique, both for the horse and for himself.

"Ah."

Viserys, riding on horseback, gazed at the colossal city-state in the distance and nodded slightly.

tao tao…

He then squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, urging the white horse beneath him to continue forward.

...

Andalus's army quickly approached Pentos, the chaotic sounds of footsteps and hooves mingling together, spears raised high forming a forest of spears in the sunlight.

Splash...

The three-headed fire dragon flag fluttered in the wind.

boom--

Andalus's army then halted not far from the gates of Pentos and set up camp on the spot.

"what happened?"

Has war broken out?

The citizens of Pentos were indeed terrified when they saw the approaching army outside the city. Instantly, there was an uproar and panic, as people thought that Pentos had once again been at war with foreign powers.

"quick!"

"Quickly! Close the city gates!"

The defenders of Pentos, however, remained relatively calm and did not panic too much. They gripped their weapons tightly and shouted loudly, wanting to close the city gates first.

They had received the message long ago, but even though they were prepared, there was still chaos at the city gate, with chickens and dogs running around, before they finally managed to close the gate with great difficulty.

boom--

The gates of Pentos were finally closed.

"Pantos".

Viserys, sitting calmly on his horse, watched this scene with an unperturbed expression, his hair fluttering in the wind.

He was also looking up and down at this giant city-state: the tall city walls, the sturdy city gates, the square brick towers that could be seen from outside the city, the huge red temples, and the palaces with nine towers on top.

Pentos is incredibly wealthy.

To Viserys' surprise, this wealthy city-state was so terrified of war, like a frightened bird.

He only had four thousand men with him, which was not even enough to fill a tooth gap in the enemy's mouth when he wanted to attack Pentos.

Even so, this made Pentos so nervous.

Is Pentos really scared of Braavos?

Viserys sat on horseback, observing the colossal city-state for a long while before finally turning his gaze away. The hundred knights who would accompany him into the city had already been chosen and were now riding out of the ranks, surrounding him on either side.

Meanwhile, Illyrio, the wealthy governor of Pentos, ordered the carriage to move forward, intending to personally have Pentos open the city gates.

Not long after the governor personally intervened in the negotiations, the situation had become clear.

squeak-

The gates of Pentos finally opened again, but the gap was not large, only allowing two or three horses to pass side by side.

The defenders, hiding behind the city gate, gripped their weapons tightly and peered out, their faces still showing signs of tension. It seemed that at the slightest sign of trouble, the more than four thousand men outside were attempting to seize the city, so they quickly closed the city gate.

"Go into the city."

Viserys, witnessing this scene, showed no fear. His black cloak billowed in the howling sea breeze outside the city gates, and strands of his hair obscured his vision. Then, the young king waved his hand, urging his warhorse forward.

One hundred knights who were following him filed through the narrow city gate and into the city of Pentos.

tata tao...

The horses' hooves clattered softly on the cobblestone streets of this prosperous city-state. Viserys, seated on horseback, finally entered the city of Pentos, one hand gripping the reins, while he gazed curiously at the surrounding scenery.

The citizens lining both sides of Pentos Road also looked on with curiosity at this group of uninvited guests from the outside world.

One hundred knights, all clad in armor, surrounded and protected the young king as their warhorses galloped through the bustling streets of Pentos, heading straight for the Prince of Pentos's palace.

Viserys came to Pentos to attend this banquet.

"His Majesty."

Soon Viserys and his hundred knights arrived at the prince's palace.

With Illyrio in attendance, and servants coming to greet him, Viserys dismounted and handed his horse to a servant to lead away.

The other knights remained outside the palace, while Bessie followed Viserys into the palace of Pentos.

"Your Majesty, this way please."

The attendant led Viserys, with Illyrio following beside him. Illyrio was slightly out of breath from walking so fast, then turned to look at the young king and spoke.

"Welcome to Pentos, Your Majesty."

What do you think of Pentos?

The Prince of Pentos Palace is extremely spacious and magnificent, with towering carved stone pillars. Simply dressed and scantily clad maids move about inside, and a gentle breeze can make your eyes dazzled by their white hair. Underfoot are marble floor tiles, and the walls on both sides are covered with exquisitely crafted brocades.

Viserys walked down the long corridor, looking at the magnificent halls around him, before turning his gaze away after hearing Illyrio's words.

"Pantos is indeed very charming."