On the flight back.
Nettles couldn't hold it in any longer. She glanced at Logar and asked, "Lord Logar… we killed Lys's Archon and then demanded compensation on top of it. Don't you think that's a little… overbearing?"
"Overbearing?" Logar turned his head with a cold smirk. "Lys has taken hit after hit in the Triarchy's wars. After the disaster in the Gullet they're already feuding with Tyrosh and Myr. A full-blown split between the Three Daughters is coming any day now…
We finally hold the upper hand. Asking for a little compensation is actually going easy on them."
"Oh." Nettles nodded, only half-understanding, but she caught the part about Lys being in deep trouble.
"Besides," Logar added with a cocky grin, "we flew all this way, won the fight—why come home empty-handed?"
In his mind, demanding payment was letting Lys off lightly. He had actually considered conquering the city outright and claiming it as his own territory.
But after thinking it through, his foundation was still too weak. He had the power to destroy, but not the strength to occupy and hold a massive city-state long-term.
He lacked reliable administrators. Trying to rule something the size of Lys right now would probably cost more than it was worth.
Plus, taking too big a step too soon was dangerous. He hadn't even locked down the Stepstones yet. He would wait until his power grew, with enough capable people to manage it, before thinking about conquering the Free Cities.
With that in mind, Logar gazed ahead toward the shores of Westeros. That was where his next campaign lay.
Viserys leaned against Nettles, watching Logar with wide, awestruck eyes.
He was fascinated by Sheepstealer and the Cannibal, and the two dragonriders who had tamed the wild beasts looked even more impressive in his young eyes.
"Lord Logar tamed the Cannibal—that's so cool. When I grow up, I want to be his squire!"
The thought took root quietly in little Viserys's heart.
The next day, Logar and Nettles returned to the Lysene city hall.
Just as Logar had predicted, Lys agreed to compensate him for the losses suffered during the Battle of the Gullet.
Eager to send these two "plagues" away as quickly as possible, Lysandro Rogare's offer was surprisingly generous. Converted into Westerosi currency, it came to nearly ten thousand gold dragons.
Added to the five thousand gold dragons promised by the Iron Bank of Braavos for eliminating their debtor Archon Bambarro, Logar now had a total of fifteen thousand gold dragons. He was suddenly filthy rich.
"Murder and arson really do pay!" Logar thought, excitement rising as he looked at the massive sum coming his way.
He had never possessed this much money before, and he was starting to feel a slight addiction to this kind of plunder.
"With this gold, I can build up my domain even better. Once the war with the Blacks is over, my power will rise with the tide."
Logar's mind was already laying plans for the future.
Leaving Lys now didn't mean he wouldn't return.
Once the Stepstones were fully developed, he would expand the World Devourers, then launch expeditions across Essos and make the mercenary company's name truly legendary!
While Logar was lost in future ambitions, Lysandro Rogare stepped forward and said:
"Lord Sea Burner, I hope this compensation clears up any misunderstandings between us. Lys wishes to remain your eternal friend."
Times had changed. Lys had joined Tyrosh and Myr in invading Black territory not long ago. Now, after falling out with the other two cities, they were suddenly eager to cozy up to a Black dragonrider for protection.
Seeing Lysandro's ingratiating smile, Logar understood his intentions instantly.
He waved a hand, signaling his attendants to load the gifts onto the Cannibal's back, then replied, "Lord Lysandro, I've always known the difference between friends and enemies. You've chosen your side wisely."
"Of course, I will represent Lys in extending friendship to both you and the Black faction of House Targaryen."
Lysandro answered in his elegant tone. The gifts had cost him a fortune, but winning over a Black dragonrider made it more than worthwhile.
Attendants carried bag after bag of compensation and gifts onto the Cannibal's back. Then ten beautiful young women—skin pale as milk, dressed in revealing silks—stepped out from behind Lysandro.
"Lord Sea Burner, these are personal gifts from me. I hear you rule the harsh, barren Stepstones and lack proper attendants. I hope these handmaids please you."
Lysandro introduced the lovely girls with an even more flattering smile.
The maids stepped forward one by one, curtsying to Logar with bold, direct gazes, hoping to make a good impression on their potential new master.
"Isn't this a bit much?" Logar hadn't expected Lysandro to pull this move and felt slightly embarrassed.
He wasn't a virgin, but he had never cared much for casual women—especially with Baela already by his side.
Besides, Lys was both a tourist paradise and a city of pleasure. He had no idea how "pure" these maids actually were.
"Rest assured, Lord Sea Burner, all these maids are virgins," Lysandro explained quickly. "They've been carefully trained by House Rogare for years. They excel in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and every art of service."
At that moment, one of the maids—a girl about Logar's age, veiled—suddenly stepped forward.
"Father, is this the man you want your daughter to serve from now on?"
"What?" Logar's eyes widened. Lysandro had gone so far as to offer his own daughter to curry favor?
"Ahem, Lara, mind your manners. Your father hopes you will serve as an attendant to Lord Sea Burner for a few years. It will be a good chance for you to experience the customs of Westeros."
Lysandro called the girl by name and turned to Logar. "This is my youngest daughter, Lara Rogare. She has a strong will. I hope you will accept her and allow her to learn at your side for a few years. Please do not refuse."
Logar was genuinely impressed. The old fox was willing to bleed for this. Who knew whether he was sending Lara to "learn" or to cultivate a deeper connection?
He remembered from the original story that Lara Rogare was supposed to be betrothed to Prince Viserys—and five or six years older than him. Now it looked like he had intercepted that fate.
Logar shook his head, still hesitating whether to accept, when Lara Rogare stepped forward herself and removed her veil, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty.
"Father, you said your daughter has a strong will. The man I follow must be a true hero who stands tall. Even if he has no fame yet, he will one day accomplish great things.
"Is the Sea Burner who tamed a dragon not strong enough?"
Lysandro shot her a sharp glare, not wanting his daughter to cause trouble right now.
But fifteen-year-old Lara ignored him and continued, "No, Lord Sea Burner taming a dragon is indeed impressive. I saw him burn our city with my own eyes.
"But precisely because of that, I have doubts. Is he truly capable… or does he only know how to bully the weak while hiding behind his dragon?"
Her real intention was finally out in the open.
Lara stared straight at Logar with seductive eyes and said boldly:
"Sea Burner, would you be willing to show me your true skill—without relying on your dragon?
If you really live up to your name, I will follow you forever and become your slave. No arguments."