On the east side of the middle reaches of the Upper Rhoyne River, the taupe-colored Viserys Castle stood majestically on the hills, like a fierce beast looking down on all directions.
Banners with a black background and a red dragon fluttered throughout the castle, the fire-breathing dragon lifelike, with three heads.
Even at the foot of the mountain, one could discern that the taupe castle had a double-layered wall structure, and there were stairs leading to the summit.
The procession below Viserys Castle was now a river of steel, gold, silver, and common clothes, with people flowing ceaselessly.
Besides the soldiers Viserys took from the castle returning home, this time he brought back the most Andals from west of the Upper Rhoyne River, who had sought refuge with him, bringing their families.
The newly arrived Andal tribes felt like country folk entering the city; ever since their decline, the Andals had gathered in villages rather than towns and castles.
The loud blare of military horns and the beat of drums announced the king's return.
Viserys removed his fearsome dragon-winged helmet, revealing a handsome and resolute face.
Though still youthful, it already bore the marks of many battles.
Syrio, Rhaenys, and Daenerys welcomed Viserys's return.
Viserys saw Rhaenys and Daenerys's figures like mirror images, dressed identically.
They wore black velvet gowns, and their flowing cloaks were embroidered with the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen.
However, the two girls differed in height and size, and their appearances were also distinct.
Rhaenys had the appearance of a Dornish salt-dweller, with smooth olive skin, black hair, and dark eyes, while Daenerys had the traditional Targaryen look.
"We welcome you, His Majesty King Viserys III of House Targaryen," Rhaenys said after bowing; this was a solemn occasion, not a time for playfully calling Viserys "uncle."
Rhaenys looked at the new tribes who had returned with Viserys; this could be described as a large contingent of tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed Andal tribesmen.
There were not only white-haired Andal elders, devout and rough barefooted septons, warriors with seven-pointed stars painted on their faces and chests, but also Andal elders and children.
"Thank you all. This time, I crossed the Upper Rhoyne River, killed the greedy Tyroshi slavers, and brought back new subjects," Viserys said to Syrio and the others.
"We are grateful for your unwavering trust; serving the king is a great honor," Syrio also said.
Syrio also had to marvel; Viserys indeed possessed a magical charm, and his ability to seize opportunities for development and his foresight were extraordinary.
He had only gone out for a while and returned with many more people.
"These are the two princesses of House Targaryen, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, and Princess Daenerys Targaryen."
"This is my swordmaster, Syrio," Viserys introduced the personnel of Viserys Castle to the Andal elders and cavalry who followed him.
"We greet the two princesses, and Master Syrio," the Andal elders also cooperatively half-knelt in salute.
"These are the village elders from the west of the Andals River who returned with me; they will all be members of the Small Council from now on. This is my guard, Argos Blackwood," Viserys then introduced the identities of the various Andal elders and his new guard.
"Your Highnesses, I am the king's new guard, Argos Blackwood. I am willing to fight for the king under the banner of the Seven-Pointed Star," Argos said gruffly, his burly figure contrasting with his tone.
Daenerys had never seen such a giant, like a small mountain.
Syrio also scrutinized Argos; such a physique meant he would not be associated with high agility.
However, on the battlefield, brute force could overcome many obstacles; clad in plate armor, he would be a rampaging behemoth.
"These children are newly arrived knightly squires; the girls will be your handmaidens, as princesses cannot be without companions," Viserys introduced to Rhaenys and Daenerys.
The younger Andal children were a bit reserved, like small beasts, but they were still pushed forward by their parents, as mingling in the court would undoubtedly raise their status.
"That's wonderful," Rhaenys smiled happily.
Viserys relied on the Andal faith of the Seven, the formation of new legions, and the training of knightly squires to thoroughly secure his base.
The greetings and introductions were merely a ceremonial part; there was also the more important task of settlement.
"Ser Rolland, will you take charge of the distribution?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Viserys had already made plans: a temporary town and dock would be added below Viserys Castle, much like Winterfell's Winter Town or the villages below the castles of Riverrun.
Ordinary people could also choose to live at the foot of the mountain but also had the autonomy to move into the castle.
After all, if war came, the castle would certainly be the safest structure.
This was similar to the structure of King's Landing, with the fortress at the top and the populace on the flat ground below the hills.
"There is strength in numbers." Viserys swept his gaze over the new people who had sworn allegiance to him. As long as he had enough manpower and pack animals, Viserys intended to bring back the giant stone circles by the lake in the Velvet Hills.
The people were being settled in an orderly fashion; the Andal elders of the Small Council would certainly be moved into the city, as would the selected knights and squires, along with their families, which was already a significant portion of the population.
However, a corresponding portion of the people chose to live in temporary wooden houses or tents below Viserys Castle for the time being.
For a time, Viserys Castle once again became a bustling construction site.
Many Andal elders assisted in settling the people from their villages.
As king, Viserys only had time to look at the gifts presented to him by the Andal villages after a long period of busy work.
These gifts were all sent to the king's military tent inside Viserys Castle.
Viserys carefully examined them: an amber necklace, a broken golden dagger, a jewel-encrusted silver brooch, bracelets, rings, beautiful silver scale mail, a short sword inlaid with three rubies, a freshwater pearl necklace, and so on.
These items were considered some of the rare good things the Andals possessed.
"These are all material wealth, but unfortunately, none of what I want," Viserys thought.
There was also a woven tapestry, ancient in style, dusty, and faded in color, but very beautiful, occupying half the floor of the great hall.
After the servants cleaned the tapestry, it was restored to its original state.
Viserys looked at the images on the tapestry, which primarily depicted Andal legends.
The Father himself plucked seven stars, fashioned them into a crown, and crowned Hugor, the first Andal king. The Maiden brought a beautiful and charming lady, and Hugor took her as his wife.
The Mother made her fertile. The Crone prophesied she would bear Hugor forty-four strong sons. The Warrior made them strong and mighty. The Smith forged a suit of steel armor for each of them.
"This tapestry is quite good; it can be hung in the council chamber," Viserys remarked.
As Viserys looked at other items, he finally discovered a gift that interested him.
A pure white, jade-like fish skeleton artwork, the fish bones arranged in a perfect shape, a lifelike bone fish.
Viserys looked at this large fish skull. According to the Andal elders, they had caught a large blue fish from the Upper Rhoyne River, and this fish had almost caused another conflict with the Rhoynar.
However, they killed it relatively quickly, so they pretended not to know.
"This kind of fish bone, a gift from the Rhoyne River?" Viserys carefully wiped the fish bone, broke off a small piece, and then began to consume it.
["Viserys Targaryen, the "Defier of Fate," has consumed the enchanted item "River God's Bone." Reward: basic attribute increase once, Strength increased ", Agility increased "]
Viserys looked at the fish bone in his hand; although its effect was inferior to that of dragon bone, it seemed, it seemed to be an enchanted item as well.
The so-called river god was, at best, a large fish, most likely having received a small blessing from the Rhoyne River.
Legends say there are many deities beneath the Mother Rhoyne River, the most famous being the giant turtle, the Old Man of the River. He is the son of the Mother Rhoyne River, and he defeated the "Crab King" to gain dominion over the underwater inhabitants.
These fish, crabs, and turtles merely gained some affinity for water elements over time, rather than being the true will of the Rhoyne River.
"Without dragon bone, I'll use this as a substitute for now." Viserys looked at the fish skeleton, a perfect alternative.
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