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Early morning, in Viserys's bedchamber, the reception room, a group of people were enjoying a sumptuous breakfast.
Viserys had recently lost much interest in strolling through the Pentos market; Pentos had almost no treasures from which to extract profit.
And all the gem merchants, antique dealers, fishmongers, and dragon bone traders in Pentos knew that a young, wealthy patron had arrived, often lining up at his bedchamber to peddle their wares.
Now Viserys was trying to recruit people in Pentos, mainly skilled craftsmen.
Viserys had the kitchen prepare a fine spread: Tyroshi sausages, Dornish pepper starfish, boiled white eggs, as well as fried beef, roasted lamb, honey-glazed chicken, and more.
There were also large pots of hot milk, sour red wine, golden wine, and amber wine.
Viserys usually had breakfast with his family and Squires; when family wasn't present, it was with Squires, commanders, and meritorious elders of the Secret Council.
Viserys invited the Dick siblings to eat with him, which deeply moved the two destitute Crabbes.
Now Dick Crabb was about to become a Squire, and his sister, as the Princess's lady-in-waiting, naturally also had this privilege.
Dick Crabb's sister, Dyana, was prettier than her brother, but just as thin, with dirty brown hair. No wonder she couldn't endure the hard life and ended up selling her body in King's Landing.
The Crab Claw Men suffered a terrible defeat at the Trident River, and were later punished by Jon Arryn and Stannis. The anger and defiance of the dispossessed were as dark and deep as a swamp.
The essence of power is cutting and distributing the cake. Regardless of the talents of the Crabbe siblings, promoting them heavily is a political art of buying horses with a thousand gold pieces.
Come quickly to Andalos, join the true dragon's banner, and you'll have official positions and a future.
In fact, as Viserys's dragon banner flew in Andalos, many minor and medium lords of Westeros also used various channels to express their loyalty, claiming they were merely oppressed.
However, there were no great lords among them, mostly opportunists and the dispossessed, as the distribution of the iron throne's interests was monopolized by the wolves, fish, eagles, stags, and lions.
Since they were not valued by the iron throne, many lords began to consider returning to the Royalists to rebel.
When he eventually moves west into Westeros, Viserys will promote those Royalists who were oppressed and exploited in the previous Usurper's War, especially hard-headed people like the Crab Claw Men, whose interests align with Viserys's.
Now, the minor and major lords who trim their sails to the wind have already defected to the iron throne, not to mention vested interests like the Tully and Lannister families.
Tully bargained and sold out their liege lord for two daughters; such lords have little loyalty to speak of.
Tyrell at least put up some resistance, honoring their ancestors' great kindness.
Even if the Crab Claw Men are somewhat crude and barbaric, they are loyal enough and angry enough, and such loyalty is precious.
Viserys told the two Crabbes to eat their fill; this was the true dragon's bounty.
In the face of delicious food, their reserve and manners gradually vanished.
There was no other way, they had been living from hand to mouth.
Viserys ate a lot because he needed to replenish his energy, but these two were simply too hungry, devouring their food.
Dyana even cried out, "I haven't had such a lavish meal since my parents died."
Argos was also startled by the girl; Westeros was a rich land, yet this girl looked as if she hadn't eaten for many meals.
"Many people have heard of Your Majesty's deeds, although The Usurper and his dogs forbid their spread. But we miss the true dragon, and I believe more people will come to pledge allegiance to you, Your Majesty," Dick said.
"I will always remember your loyalty," Viserys said.
"I shall forever be loyal to the true dragon, until death!"
"Until death!" the Crabbe siblings swore.
"Very good, my Crabbe Squire," Viserys told them to continue eating.
Dick was a down-and-out member of the Crabbe family, unafraid of anything, and more people would come later.
"How is the situation on the Crab Claw Peninsula now?" Viserys asked.
Dick rubbed his hands, "Very bad, Your Majesty. There are hungry young people like me everywhere, filled with anger towards Robert and old Jon Arryn, and unwilling to fight for the iron throne."
Viserys nodded, "Indeed, it's too difficult."
Crabbe explained awkwardly, "Multiple factors, Your Majesty. The population loss from the Trident River battle, every household lost someone. Then came the fines and war taxes levied by Robert and Jon Arryn. We could originally earn some extra money through smuggling, but Stannis manages things too strictly."
The Crab Claw Peninsula suffered blows in population, economy, and status; it was a living, invisible powder keg.
"I hear the Crab Claw Peninsula has complex terrain, and only locals can find the roads."
"That is correct, Your Majesty. No one but the true dragon can make the Crab Claw Peninsula submit. The attempts by Maidenpool, Crab Isle, and Duskendale all failed.
The residents of the Crab Claw Peninsula are familiar with the local swamps and forests, unmatched by outsiders. If the situation is critical, they can disappear into the honeycomb-like caves in the hills. When not fighting external enemies, they squabble among themselves, with family feuds as dark and deep as the mountain swamps.
Sometimes a hero brings temporary peace to the Crab Claw Peninsula, but when he dies, everything returns to its original state." Dick wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth; he was already a mature Squire, needing to familiarize himself with high society.
"I need a channel between Andalos and the Crab Claw Peninsula," Viserys said.
"If your banner appears, the Crab Claw Men will gladly pledge allegiance. However, the Crab Claw Peninsula lacks ships, so many people use other ports," Dick explained.
"Bring the map, Argos," Viserys commanded.
Viserys took the meticulously drawn map of Westeros from the maester. Crab Claw Island, like the Vale, faced Andals.
When the Andals invaded back then, they also attacked the Vale first.
The Crab Claw Peninsula had complex terrain, and its half-savage people were unruly. In the end, the Andalos secured the Crab Claw Peninsula through marriage.
The Crab Claw Men could travel from King's Landing or Gulltown, or by ship from Duskendale to Pentos, and then to Andalos.
However, the Crab Claw Peninsula is too close to Dragonstone, so it seems that if they are to be smuggled, it can only be in small numbers, many times.
This task requires desperate people. Viserys considered whether to negotiate with Morroq to help him smuggle people.
To better arrange personnel movement, the three islands guarding King's Landing are like a choke point.
"If you wish, I can travel between both sides of the Narrow Sea to contact loyal servants for Your Majesty," the clever Dick boldly promised.
"You are a smart man, but this matter requires careful planning," Viserys said.
Many people secretly traveled across the Narrow Sea. Viserys knew that Illyrio had a spot on Salladhor Saan's smuggling ship for him to go to King's Landing.
The more renowned Viserys became, the more people would be willing to join him. Besides that, he also needed to find a way to infiltrate the outposts.
"Now, enjoy this delicious meal. I have another distinguished guest," Viserys said.
Viserys rose and left the reception room. A special craftsman was waiting in the courtyard.
A pale-faced, wet and white-skinned middle-aged man.
He was quite down-and-out, with patches on his clothes.
Argos loudly announced Viserys's arrival: "Viserys III of House Targaryen," he shouted in a rough voice, "King of the Andalos, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, King of Andalos and the Rhoyne River."
The special craftsman immediately knelt in the courtyard, "Your Majesty, Valentin is at your command."
"I heard you prepared a little something for me," Viserys asked.
Wildfire Master Valentin nodded, "I offer fire to the Dragon King."
Wildfire and fire alchemists were most common in King's Landing, but also existed in other Free Cities.
Viserys knew that Qarth had charlatans playing with wildfire and gunpowder, performing tricks to attract crowds, then having their pickpockets steal things.
He hadn't expected there to be a fire alchemist in Pentos.
"Why not offer it to the Pentos Magisters?" Viserys asked him.
Valentin lowered his head awkwardly, "I once mentioned this to the Magisters, but they deemed my craft worthless, as Pentos has no wars... To survive, I could only sell small amounts of wildfire to clowns or circuses for tricks, barely making ends meet."
"Let me see the effect of your wildfire first," Viserys said.
"As you command, Your Majesty. But you need to stand back."
"Then let's begin?" Viserys said after moving his position.
Valentin carefully took out his gift, placed in several layers of jars, with sand on top for protection.
Small pieces of log were piled in the courtyard, surrounded by a large amount of gravel, which was effective against wildfire.
Valentin looked at Viserys with admiration, understanding wildfire as well; this was a kindred spirit.
Wildfire was dangerous, so Valentin was very cautious, and what he finally brought out was a very small jar to demonstrate to the Dragon King.
Its ceramic pot walls had to be made rough and uneven with patterns to increase control over the wildfire.
A strange green tide flowed, and orange flames spread; this green had the smell of rotting fruit.
The wildfire burned on the piled logs, endlessly, until the flames died out, leaving even the surrounding gravel wall charred black.
No one dared to approach these flames; wildfire was said to be extremely dangerous.
Wildfire is a cousin to dragonfire, and dragonfire is even more dangerous than wildfire.
Viserys felt the heat; the flames were burning, this was true wildfire.
Viserys watched the eerie green tide slowly dance, a fire dance of green snakes, until it vanished.
The fire element cheered, this was the might of fire.
However, Viserys noticed that his armor seemed to also have a magical damage reduction effect, the gleaming silver armor calling forth runes to operate.
Thus, it seemed this armor was indeed as exquisite as valyrian steel armor.
"Very good, but I'd like to ask about your production efficiency," Viserys asked, getting to the crucial point.
Wildfire Master Valentin awkwardly rubbed his hands, "I am confident that my wildfire technique is already perfected, but constrained by materials and the difficulty of runes, I cannot guarantee efficiency."
"That is not a problem," Viserys said. "Are you willing to be loyal to me and come with me to Andalos? I need technicians like you."
"I am willing, Your Majesty," Valentin said.
For him, there was nothing left in Pentos; others treated his wildfire as a mere trick, and when starving, sentiment mattered little.
In a period of magical decline, low wildfire efficiency was normal; the key was having this technique and slowly accumulating wildfire.
Viserys picked up a crude ceramic jar. Khal Drogo, if you come, you will receive my gift.
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