Viserys Targaryen opened the "Black Pearl's" invitation, upon which were the Black Pearl's cheerful and bright words.
"Words arrive with intent. To atone for the sin of neglect, I specially invite His Majesty Viserys Targaryen of the Targaryen family to meet on the canal at midnight three days hence... Baelara Otherys."
"She's inviting me," Viserys said, but he was also very calm.
Viserys was not a love-struck teenager; he was a restorationist trying to turn the tide.
The Black Pearl was even less of a pure and innocent girl; this premier courtesan naturally wouldn't release an eagle until she saw a rabbit.
Viserys estimated that the meeting between the two would likely be another exchange of benefits, which was fine; everyone could improve.
"This is a good thing; you're still relatives," Syrio joked. "I don't know how many people want to get close to her but can't even see the Black Pearl."
"It's a bit of a distant relationship, but my ancestor left behind too many children."
They were indeed relatives, but that was a long time ago.
The first Black Pearl was a pirate queen who was later taken as a mistress by Aegon IV, the "Unworthy," when he was still a prince, and bore several children, one of whom grew up to become a courtesan.
This kind of roundabout relationship had long been severed.
The Unworthy sired so many offspring, and their success rate was quite high, probably mainly because of the large quantity—nearly twenty children.
"Who is behind the Black Pearl?" Viserys asked.
"The Sealord, the bankers of the Iron Bank, the commercial giants of the Merchant Guild, the envoys stationed in Braavos—the Black Pearl is familiar with them all. At the Black Pearl's level, she is her own boss, unlike the Nightingales and Moonshadows, who still have investors behind them," Syrio explained.
There were differences even among courtesans.
The Black Pearl must be the undisputed leader, while the other few didn't have too obvious ranking differences and were considered to be in the same tier.
"Then it seems I have to tidy myself up properly and go meet her," Viserys said, still quite confident in his appearance.
However, he didn't plan to pick up girls; these courtesans were all thorny roses, belonging to others as cash cows, goddesses in the hearts of thousands.
But taking the opportunity to build a relationship with the Black Pearl was also possible, and he could even borrow some money.
As the premier courtesan, the other side of the Black Pearl was Braavos's chief broker.
In the banquet hall, Viserys instructed the cook to prepare a Sealord crab feast for everyone.
Flavored crab meat, crab shell baked rice, creamy crab bisque, and so on—it was a veritable delicacy.
"Having an appetizing dinner is truly enjoyable," Viserys commented.
Ser Rolan Lake also ate ravenously; it wasn't so easy to make a living in Essos, and he barely had enough to eat, rarely enjoying such high-end delicacies.
As for chatting and laughing with courtesans, he wouldn't even dare to dream of it.
Thinking about the later Jeor Mormont, he had almost become a beggar.
Now Ser Rolan had great admiration for Viserys; he originally thought he was rotten wood, but he didn't expect him to be gold inside.
A fallen prince could raise money himself and seemed to be on intimate terms with various courtesans.
Viserys ate the delicious crab meat, and as he thought, this Sealord crab could indeed significantly and slightly increase strength.
This delicious meal was not only expensive but also hard-earned.
Catching Sealord crabs on the cold seas of the north was tiring and dangerous.
The mortality rate for fishermen was high; drowning or catching a cold meant certain death.
The risk of crab boats was far higher than that of other shrimp and whaling boats, and so on.
"Cheers!" Viserys raised his glass. "To Nightingale, to Ser Rolan and Master Syrio, Master Moro."
"May this good fortune continue endlessly."
The glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.
"This crab is delicious, but the fishermen who catch crabs are not to be provoked easily," Syrio said.
Among this group of people, only Syrio could be considered to have been involved in the operation of high-level power, after all, he had been the First Sword and chief guard for nine years.
"Oh?" Ser Rolan became interested. "Aren't they just fishermen? Even if they are merchants, what can they do?"
Westeros and the Free Cities had different power structures; one was feudal lords, and the other was an emerging merchant class.
"Our fishermen here are not ordinary," Syrio explained. "Braavos has three pillar industries: banking, fishing, and commerce. The Fishing Guild has a lot of say, and the Crabbers' Guild is especially feared."
"Is it because those sailors are dangerous and united?" Viserys asked.
"That's right. The sea is colder than a lady and crueler than a whore. The Sealord is always recruiting sailors and oarsmen who come and go," Syrio nodded.
"For crabbers, this is especially true. Whether it's going to the frozen sea to catch crabs or venturing to the Winter Sea to catch crabs and lobsters, the mortality rate is extraordinary. This is something that only those who are extremely short of money or adventurers are willing to do, so the crabbers are brave and fierce and very united, and they are the most terrifying sailors in Braavos."
"I see," Ser Rolan nodded. "They are somewhat like some of the wildlings in the North, unafraid of death."
Listening to Syrio's explanation, Viserys understood the key points even more.
Merchant guilds were very popular in the Free Cities; every city had them.
For example, in Qarth, the "Queen of Cities," the Thirteen and the Tourmaline Brotherhood, the Ancient Guild of Spicers, and the royal family vied for control of Qarth.
Braavos also had bankers, commerce, and fishing guilds.
Only the most adventurous and fearless sailors dared to go to the northern Shivering Sea to catch crabs; there were also many outlaws among them, and they were very close-knit.
Viserys was slowly familiarizing himself with everything about the Braavosi framework of power, but how to find people who were beneficial to his cause still temporarily relied on the courtesan's social skills.
Thinking of this, it was also necessary to meet the Black Pearl... Three days later, at midnight, on the canals of Braavos.
The Black Pearl's yacht slowly sailed, with servants punting her around.
Viserys had already boarded the Black Pearl's flower boat, the flags on which were all painted with black pearls.
Syrio was responsible for Viserys's guard; his identity still had some face.
In addition to Syrio, there was also that black cat.
At this time, the Black Pearl was just a girl in her teens, probably similar to Viserys, far from being as radiant as she would later become.
However, her appearance and temperament were indeed considered to be absolutely beautiful, and the lights were brightened by her presence.
Rather than calling her the Black Pearl, she was more like a brown-skinned brown pearl.
The Black Pearl wore a dark yellow low-cut silk robe, which was stunningly beautiful against her bright brown skin.
Her black hair was tied up with a gold thread hairnet, and a necklace made of black jade and gold hung down to her well-developed breasts.
"Your Majesty Viserys," the Black Pearl smiled. "I didn't expect to see you today, my distant relative."
"Thank you for your hospitality," Viserys returned the greeting.
Viserys was also dressed very formally; he was wearing a half-black, half-red top, black and red being the colors of the Targaryen family..
In addition to Viserys's looks, he also looked like a handsome young man.
But the communication between the two was destined not to be affectionate, but more like an exchange of interests between negotiators.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
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Grab the offer soon it's going to end