The conversation between the two girls ended on bad terms.
Arianne was determined to win Viserys.
In the garden, aside from the noblewomen of the Free Cities, there were also members of the Dothraki present.
To show his loyalty, Khal Ogo had sent both his youngest son and daughter to Gohor.
Viserys had arranged for the boy to attend the academy, while the daughter remained in the court.
The girl, named Ichi, had none of the pride one might expect from the daughter of a conquered khal.
In her eyes, since Viserys's forces had defeated the Dothraki, her instinct to admire strength pushed her to seek a new protector in Gohor.
Although her etiquette and attire were far from refined, she still tried her best to blend into the conversations of the noblewomen.
"If only there were a great river running through the Dothraki Sea," Arianne said enthusiastically as she chatted with the ladies. "But what if the horsemen attacked?"
"What's the problem?" Ichi replied while eating, her words slightly muffled. "We could just hide underwater like fish."
"The real issue is where our ships would even come from," a noblewoman from Norvos added.
"Huh? Ships are driven by people?" Ichi swallowed her food, looking genuinely surprised.
"Quiet, don't interrupt!" Arianne shot her an annoyed glance before continuing the discussion.
Compared to the relaxed atmosphere among the women, the gathering outside was far more formal.
Viserys's ministers were present, as expected.
Among them stood a group of young men dressed in black formal uniforms.
They were well-built, with sharp features, and carried themselves with perfect posture whether sitting or standing.
They did not mingle with those outside their group, and every movement seemed practiced, as if molded from the same template.
Their disciplined appearance, combined with their youth, made them seem both powerful and mysterious.
It was obvious they had the bearing of soldiers.
Since they showed no interest in conversation, the other nobles did not approach them either, each keeping to their own circles.
The governors from Pentos were the most cautious.
Even when a young noble from Viserys's side casually draped an arm over the shoulder of an elderly Pentoshi governor and tried to force him to drink, the man maintained a polite smile throughout.
Although Pentos had not directly sent troops during the war against the Dothraki, they had effectively stood in opposition to the Targaryens.
Now that they had somewhat recovered in recent years, Viserys clearly intended to bleed them a little.
Weak yet arrogant, they were simply asking to be taught a lesson.
Compared to them, Audro appeared far more confident.
He sat almost shoulder to shoulder with Davos.
In this war, Davos's son had earned notable achievements, further strengthening his family's position.
Audro had already thought things through.
When Viserys eventually launched his invasion of Westeros, Pentos would have to be fully controlled.
Westeros would be the front line, Gohor the rear, and Pentos the vital link in between.
Viserys would never allow his supply lines to be cut while he was campaigning.
For now, Audro's plan was to make the most of Pentos's independence and accumulate political capital.
That way, when the time came to pledge loyalty to Viserys, his family could secure a more comfortable position.
If he could obtain the title of marquis, that would already be more than enough.
Looking back, his decision to form a marriage alliance with Davos had been absolutely correct.
"Lord Davos, I have several younger relatives in my family who have trained in martial skills since childhood.
They wish to join His Grace's army in the campaign against the Dothraki.
Would you be willing to put in a word for them?"
"I believe His Grace would be pleased. Rest assured, I will inform him."
Davos agreed readily.
By sending his family members into Viserys's army, Audro was essentially declaring to the other governors:
I, Audro, will be the most loyal hound of the Targaryens.
So what if I'm a governor? That title means nothing.
Over the years, Oberyn had rarely stayed in Gohor, instead traveling across the world.
He had even visited the Summer Isles and returned with a dark-skinned girl, another one of his bastards.
In a corner of the garden, Oberyn sat with Mellario, discussing matters of alliance and marriage.
Viserys's current objective was the Dothraki sacred city, Vaes Dothrak.
The goal was to shatter the cohesion of the Dothraki people.
While important, the task itself was not particularly difficult. There would likely be no major battles.
In at most a year, Viserys would lead his army to invade Westeros.
Thus, alliances had to be settled in advance.
"I don't think the chances of marrying Arianne into the royal family are very high," Mellario said to Oberyn.
In truth, she was not particularly eager for her daughter to marry into the royal family either.
"Where else could Viserys land besides Dorne?" Oberyn replied.
"Do you really think Viserys wants the Iron Throne?"
Mellario's question caught him off guard.
For as long as anyone could remember, it had been taken as an absolute truth that the Targaryens would reclaim the Iron Throne.
It was something even more certain than common sense.
Mellario continued:
"Viserys now controls not only Gohor, but also the Golden Plains, the northern Lhazar basin, the Little Lhazar River, and the Upper Lhazar River.
Altogether, his territory is four times the size of the Crownlands."
"The population of Gohor is nearing one million, and only a little over one hundred thousand of them came from Westeros.
He has his own throne now. One he built with his own hands. And it is far more comfortable than that iron chair."
Oberyn scratched his head, realizing she was absolutely right.
Still, he found it difficult to accept—not logically, but emotionally.
"The Targaryens have shed so much blood for the Iron Throne.
Think about the Blackfyre Rebellions, think about the Dance of the Dragons. He can't just give it up so easily, can he?"
"You already said it yourself," Mellario replied calmly. "Then why hasn't he given it up?"
Oberyn fell silent for a long moment before finally coming to terms with it.
Whether it was the Dance of the Dragons or the Blackfyre Rebellions, the shadows of Westerosi lords had always been behind them.
Aegon the Conqueror had conquered too quickly, leaving many problems unresolved.
Rather than saying he conquered the Seven Kingdoms, it might be more accurate to say the Seven Kingdoms' systems and traditions had shaped him in return.
"Even if Viserys himself isn't that interested in the Iron Throne," Mellario continued, "the Targaryens still have blood debts to settle. The House Lannister and House Baratheon are enemies he must deal with."
"Viserys might not care much for the Iron Throne... but don't forget his two nephews."
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