In the courtyard of the high walls, Viserys Targaryen was practicing slashes and thrusts against a log target.
Viserys had switched to a blunted sword, not Ser Willem's personal blade.
Viserys was now agile and strong, but without professional guidance, his swordplay lacked much technique.
For a warrior, self-taught methods are very dangerous.
Without sparring with top-tier partners, progress is rare.
Viserys thrust and slashed at the target until his muscles ached, stopping only as the sun set.
After a short rest, Viserys looked at his stats; his Strength attribute showed an increase, though it was very slow.
Training could also improve his stats, but it wasn't as quick at boosting attributes as natural talent.
Even so, it was positive feedback, so he resolved to continue working hard.
Currently, Viserys only needed to improve his Strength, Endurance, and Agility. The Spirit attribute felt somewhat ethereal, and he hadn't yet grasped its method.
Perhaps when Viserys's strength improved further, other aspects of his stat framework, like his profession, would also advance.
"I need a better instructor," Viserys thought.
Ser Willem Darry had been good, but he had gone half-blind early on, and now he was gone.
What Viserys knew now were the basic skills taught by Ser Willem, which were decent, but consistent training was key.
In Braavos, one mostly saw the flamboyant Water Dancers, who were assassins.
However, the Water Dancers' swordsmanship focused on agility and speed, not true steel-on-steel combat.
Heavy armor and solid, straightforward fighting—that was the Westerosi way of battle.
Viserys still wanted to find a Westerosi knight, preferably one loyal to the crown, which made it very difficult.
Formal knight training was completely different from Water Dancing, encompassing sword and shield combat, swordsmanship, archery, and training with various weapons like lances, flails, and battle-axes.
Viserys watched as the sky gradually darkened. His training was over; tonight, he had to host special guests.
Compared to the opulent Sealord's Palace or the compounds of high-ranking families, Viserys's residence seemed somewhat humble.
The courtesan, "The Swordswoman," arrived, led by Xaro, with a tall, thin, silent, bearded Braavosi swordsman behind her.
The Swordswoman was somewhat skeptical if the private dishes in this residence would truly be so delicious, but considering Xaro's identity as a magistrate, he likely wouldn't lie.
"My friend, Viserys Targaryen," Xaro introduced.
Viserys wore his black clothes, embroidered with the three-headed red dragon sigil.
"Why has the King cut his hair short? This will break so many girls' hearts," Xaro exclaimed in surprise.
Viserys had cut his long hair, now sporting short, silver-white hair, which didn't diminish his handsomeness but made him look more energetic.
"Short hair is easier to manage," Viserys explained.
"The courtesan of Braavos, the Swordswoman," the Braavosi courtesan introduced herself.
"I didn't expect it to be the Landless King," the Swordswoman said, looking at Viserys, naturally recognizing his identity as the exiled king of the Targaryen dynasty.
Even as a second-tier courtesan, the Swordswoman's appearance was still remarkably beautiful, and it seemed she genuinely possessed some sword-fighting skill.
Viserys glanced at the elegantly dressed courtesan; a rapier hung at her waist, which was the origin of her moniker.
Viserys couldn't help but inwardly praise her professionalism; Braavos's courtesan industry was highly developed.
A famous courtesan had to have her own unique characteristics and talking points.
For a courtesan to rise to prominence, self-promotion was indispensable.
Black Pearl was young and lovely, with the blood of the Sealord, the Pirate Queen, and the True Dragon.
Moon Shadow only wore white and silver clothes, and Nightingale's singing was unparalleled.
The Poetess always carried a book. Only lovers approved by the Veiled Lady could see her face.
Mermaid Queen was inseparable from her mermaids—four young girls in the bloom of youth, holding up her skirts and hair.
Now, the Swordswoman might have chosen a new niche, somewhat imitating the Poetess.
"This is my guard, Moro," the Swordswoman said. "He doesn't talk much, unlike those assassins by the Moon Pool, but his sword is much sharper."
The Braavosi swordsman remained silent, simply following the courtesan as her guard.
After they entered the reception hall, the atmosphere was already set.
A variety of delicacies began to be served, looking like a feast.
Viserys didn't use too many seafood items this time, opting for ingredients like clams, muskfish, frogs, turtles, mud crabs, flower crabs, climbing crabs, red eels, black eels, striped eels, lampreys, and oysters.
Fish, shellfish, turtles, and crabs had to be deboned and sliced, and seasonings like minced garlic, dried fruits, sea salt, and crushed pepper needed to be prepared, occasionally even using expensive saffron.
Not only were the ingredients exquisite, but more importantly, the taste was unique.
"Such delicacies are rare to find. Let us toast His Majesty Viserys."
"To His Majesty Viserys!" The Swordswoman smiled radiantly. Seeing Viserys's confidence, she also grew curious about the cook's dishes.
Cups filled with Summerwine clinked together, and delicious flavors were about to dance on their tongues.
The Swordswoman took a spoonful of flower crab soup, and with that first spoonful, she realized its genuine deliciousness.
"Truly delicious." It was as if a dagger had struck her soul; every dish was perfect.
Even the mansions of the Archons didn't boast such quality.
The Swordswoman and her guard also enjoyed an incredibly satisfying meal, one they had never experienced before, even among the nobility.
The silent, bearded swordsman also ate heartily, as the lampreys he had eaten before had never been so appealing in color, aroma, and taste.
Upon tasting such exquisite food, the bearded swordsman also shed his previous arrogance.
"An extraordinary meal. I didn't expect the cook here to have such skill," the Swordswoman praised.
In her heart, the courtesan wondered how, even after losing his kingdom, he still cared so much about food and drink; it seemed quite tragic.
At the courtesans' level, they indeed lived lavishly and paid great attention to every detail of life. But precisely because of this, it was easy for them to discover the unique deliciousness within the Red Door.
Xaro grandly introduced Viserys, "It's not the cook's accomplishment, but because Viserys is a first-rate gourmet."
"Viserys," the courtesan exclaimed in surprise, her beautiful eyes turning to gaze at the silver-haired, violet-eyed young man.
She hadn't expected this exiled king, besides being handsome, to also be a top-tier gourmet.
Such a person had a great zest for life, but unfortunately, it was useless for restoring his kingdom.
"Wandering abroad, this is the only hobby I have," Viserys said.
"But why are these ingredients so delicious?" the Swordswoman asked.
"The fish and shellfish around Braavos are too fishy for my liking. But there's a gentle brown river that flows from the south into the Great Lagoon, winding through a large area of reeds, tidal pools, marshes, and shallows. The abundance of clams and scallops produced there are all top quality. It's all about the ingredients, and with the right cooking, it's naturally delicious."
"Indeed, you are skilled in this," the Swordswoman said, applauding. She had a beautiful, delicate face.
"His Majesty Viserys's family meals are not open to outsiders, only because we are friends," Xaro said, firstly to inform the courtesan of the effort he had made, and secondly to highlight his and Viserys's contribution.
"Yes, because Xaro and I are friends. This is simply my generosity in hosting friends," Viserys said.
"After this meal, you and I are also friends. But since we are friends, I must offer you a return gift," the Swordswoman said.
"There's no need to be so formal," Viserys said.
The Swordswoman shook her head, "For us Braavosi, it is essential to reciprocate."
"Fine wine, gold, and beauty," the Swordswoman said proudly.
She didn't like owing favors to others, even an exiled king. "Beauty" naturally didn't refer to herself, but rather to the many younger courtesans she knew.
"Just accept it; this is the custom of the Secret City," Xaro prompted Viserys.
Viserys felt that Braavosi were also very stubborn, which was different from the rules of the Faceless Men; it was truly a commercial economy.
"Then I won't be polite. I want to find a Westerosi knight instructor. Preferably one of those who were loyal to the royal family back then..."
Viserys seized this opportunity, striking while the iron was hot.
He had no intelligence network whatsoever; he was completely in the dark.
As a local power and broker in Braavos, the courtesan would surely be better at finding people than Viserys.
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